Joleen Elwood

JOLEEN ELWOOD of Smithfield, Utah passed away at the age of 92 on March 18, 2023, 8 weeks to the day after the passing of her eternal companion, Russell. Joleen was born January 3, 1931, the second of six siblings born to Noble and DeViva Chambers of Smithfield. She married Russell Elwood on February 14, 1952, and together they raised 4 children. Joleen was a kindhearted soul who devoted everything to her children and family. She was friends for 80 years with her childhood friend, Jean. They enjoyed many activities together, including riding bikes to Benson in their younger years, and most recently, in-person visits.

Joleen LOVES flowers. She had many flower beds and potted planters. Every year she said she wasn’t going to plant many flowers. Then summer rolled around and she couldn’t help herself and bought the same amount or even more. She said they were just so pretty. She enjoyed working in her flower bed and vegetable garden. She loved horses since childhood and rode as a child and when she could with her husband, family and friends. Russell and Joleen enjoyed going to the mountains, including many years as camp hosts/supervisors at Tony Grove, Utah and Redfish Lake, Idaho.

Even though her dad had a dairy farm, she never had bottle fed a calf until after she was married. She believed in hard work. Her daughters called her the energizer bunny as she never seemed to stop. She was a very good candy maker. Her family looked forward to a Christmas box of her homemade candy. Her hand-beat fudge was the creamiest. Later in life, Russ was the one who hand-beat the fudge to get it the way she wanted it.

She had a strong faith in God. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a former temple worker at the Logan Temple. She appreciated traditional values and raised her children to those same values. Joleen was known for being a meticulous housekeeper, a good cook, and a loving mother. In her younger years, she worked at Utah State University as a secretary in the Old Main building, at a mink farm, as well as at Herff Jones, which she quit to take care of her aging parents. She was a longstanding member of the Smithfield Community Club. She loved music, played the piano and in her senior years, became endeared to her organ, which she played frequently. She was also a member of the organ club. She is survived by 4 children (Jan (Dennis), Kami (Steve), Scott (Chris), and Troy), 14 grandchildren (she supported all their activities), and 16 great-grandchildren, along with a brother, Craig (Linda) Chambers.

Sincere thanks to the staff of Autumn Care for their dedication to our parents. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the LDS Missionary Fund.

A visitation will be held on Friday, March 24, 2023 at Nelson Funeral Home (162 E 400 N Logan) from 11 am to 1230 pm. Burial will follow at the Smithfield City Cemetery. Condolences & memories may be shared with the family online at www.nelsonfuneralhome.com