Jean Jacqueline Mackenzie Alder

Jean passed away March 23, 2014. Jean Alder loved her family, her horses, and serving her community to better the lives of people and families. Although Jean Jacqueline Mackenzie was born in Brooklyn, New York, on April 21, 1941 and raised on Long Island, she was never a city girl at heart. At 18, Jean moved to Fairbanks, Alaska, because it was as far, both physically and culturally, as she could get from NYC. She graduated from the University of Alaska with degrees in Home Economics and Elementary Education in 1964. She followed a friend to Utah and then moved to Logan to further her education. She graduated from Utah State University in 1967 with an MSc in Clothing and Textiles. She married local farmer Alan Alder on March 13, 1968, and they had two children together. Their mutual love of horses and the farm brought them and kept them together. This strong independent woman adeptly balanced the roles of motherhood and professional career. Jean taught for one year each at the Intermountain Indian School and Ogden School District. She then taught Clothing and Textiles at Utah State University for ten years. In 1980, she became Cache County's Extension Home Economist. Many women called Jean for canning and other homemaking advice. She helped found the Refugee Community Center and later a program to teach ESL and computer literacy to Hispanics. She was instrumental in developing gardening and homemaking programs for USU students. The 4-H youth program in Cache County thrived under her leadership. Jean introduced 4-H horse camp to Utah and helped the English Equitation program in the county and state. She strived to make the 4-H about youth development not competition. In addition, she was a volunteer 4-H leader for over 30 years. Her work positively influenced the lives of many people.
Horses were Jean's primary hobby. Although she loved to ride, she actually spent more time teaching equitation than riding herself. In addition to teaching her own children, she ran the Logan 4-H horse club for many years. Jean received many away awards for her service to the community including the USU Diversity Award 2000 and the Utah Woman of Achievement Award 2001. Jean retired at 60 to spend time with her family and her horses. Unfortunately, she only had a few years to enjoy her retirement because early-onset Alzheimer's set in and eventually took her life.
She is survived by her husband: Alan Alder of Logan; children: Bret & Jenny Alder of Logan and Alene Alder-Rangel & Drauzio Rangel of Brazil; her brother, Scott Mackenzie North Carolina; grandchildren: Braden Alder, Brock Alder, and Amanda Rangel. A memorial service for Jean will be held on Friday, March 28, 2014 at 11 a.m. at the Nelson Funeral Home, 162 East 400 North, with a viewing on Thursday, from 6 to 8 p.m. and Friday 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Interment will be at the Providence Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Cache County 4-H Program 435752-6263. The Family would like to thank her many caregivers and Doctor, Cache Valley Assisted Living Center, and especially her nurses from Access Home Care & Hospice. Condolences may be expressed online at www.nelsonfuneralhome.com