Jeanne Winn Layne

Jeanne Winn Layne, 87, passed away peacefully on the morning of February 19, 2025. Born on August 28, 1937, in Smithfield, Utah, Jeanne dedicated her life to helping her family and others by creating a warm and nurturing home for her husband, Jerry Layne, of nearly 65 years and their 5 children.

Jeanne attended schools in Smithfield, eventually graduating from North Cache High School. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music and Speech from Utah State University, later completing her teaching certificate. Her education enriched her creativity, love of music and performing, which continued throughout her life as she embraced all performing arts, both as a performer and audience member. 

In 1960, she married a cute farm boy from Lewiston, Utah, in the Logan LDS Temple. She was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints serving in various callings with favorites being anything with music or serving the youth. Their early years were spent in Ogden, where they welcomed their first child. They later settled in Smithfield in a home built by Jerry, a home where they welcomed their additional 4 children, and a home in which they have enjoyed for the last 62 years.

Along with the devotion to her family, Jeanne’s greatest joy came from “keeping active and busy.” She was always found doing something, whether it was sewing costumes and outfits for her daughters’ performances or finishing up a wedding dress on the way to the service. She was actively involved in the PTA, serving as president for several years locally as well as serving on the State PTA Board. She was also an active educator in the schools as a substitute teacher. As her children grew older, Jeanne became a businesswomen and entrepreneur owning a Rainbow Snow Franchise in Logan. During this time, she loved serving and talking to the customers about everything. She had the ability to walk up to complete strangers and begin conversations that could last for hours.

In later years, Jeanne re-opened her family mill on Main Street in Smithfield. She named it “Ye Olde Winn Mill” and moved her Rainbow Snow business there as well as doing screen printing for locals and businesses in the valley. She was a staple on Main Street for many years along with her involvement in the Smithfield Chamber of Commerce. 

Jeanne was passionate about music, taught piano lessons, sang in various choirs, and just loved listening to classical and modern music. She would often sit at the piano and play by herself or for others.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Parley and Shirley Winn, brothers Nyman and Ray, sister Aileen, and grandson Hunter. Jeanne is survived by her husband Jerry, their children Lorie (Tracy), Deanna (Kevin), Cynthia (Chris), Denise (Frank) and Doug and their 15 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren. Her surviving siblings are John (Suzann) Winn and Anne (Milt) Slagowski. 

Funeral services and a celebration of Jeanne’s life will be held on March 1, 2025, 11:00 am at the LDS Chapel 640 N 200 E in Smithfield. A viewing will be held at this location on Friday, February 28, 2025, from 6:00-8:00 pm, and Saturday, March 1, 2025, from 9:30-10:30 am. As a family, we express our appreciation for the loving care from the staff of Autumn Care Assisted Living and the nurses with Intermountain Hospice.