Nada Jane Schwartz Jeo

Our beloved Nada Jane Schwartz Jeo peacefully passed away on Thursday, September 3, 2020, surrounded by loved ones.

Nada was predeceased in death by her parents John Schwartz and Venna Mae Schvaneveldt, brother Keith, sisters Mae and Helen, grandchild Paul James Jeo, and her husband Idaho Jeo.

She is survived by her brother and his wife, David and Anna Schwartz, by her children, Debra Kay Jeo Britton and John Britton, James S. Jeo and Bonnie Brox Jeo, and Paul S. Jeo and Angela Jones Jeo; grandchildren Noella Jeo Brewer and Jared Brewer, James Nathan Jeo and Marianne Jeo, Matthew Britton and Elise Britton , Christopher Britton, Jacob Jeo and Emily Jeo, Katelan Jeo Jones and Colton Jones, Jessica Jeo Bundy and Braden Bundy; and by her great-grandchildren Landon Brewer, Lacey Brewer, Jack Jones, Isaac Britton, Porter Jeo, Rustin Bundy, Penn Jeo, Arthur Britton, and Lucas Bundy.

Nada was born on January 24, 1933, in Weston, Idaho. She learned hard work on the family farm and how to enjoy life. She graduated from West Side High School in Dayton, Idaho, in 1951. Nada and her sweetheart, Idaho Jeo, married September 22, 1953, in Denver, Colorado. They began married life in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah, and moved to Kearns, Utah, in 1956 with the purchase of a sparkling, new home, and a monthly mortgage of $72, where she lived many happy years raising their three children. She was a busy homemaker providing for the needs of her growing family. When all children were of school age, she accepted a position working in the Granger High School lunch program. She later transferred to the Kearns High School’s lunch program, continuing there until retirement. While working, the students got to know Nada as a friendly lunch lady who provided a smile and generous-sized servings of their favorite foods. She enjoyed lifelong friendships with her lunch lady co-workers and their monthly lunches and visits in retirement.

Favorite things: Homemade rolls, the best mashed potatoes and gravy, sticky white rice, sugar cookies, Hot Tamales, Jell-O with fruit and/or vegetables, See’s Candies, Neosporin, Lubriderm Lotion, Larry King and Anderson Cooper, hot political discussions, Beenie Babies, annual backyard Easter egg hunts, family gatherings, homemade/hand churned raspberry ice cream, Red Hats Society, book clubs, Kearns Senior Center activities, quilting bees, crocheting, and near perfect grandchildren and perfect great-grandchildren.

Admirable qualities: The strength of her convictions allowed her to follow her heart. She and Idaho Jeo were not able to legally marry in Idaho or Utah in 1953 because it would be a mixed race (Caucasian and Japanese American) marriage. Colorado did not have this legal restriction, thus allowing them to marry. Throughout her life, Nada maintained loving relationships with her entire family. She taught her children life skills, hard work, honesty, the importance of family, and faith in our Savior Jesus Christ. She served many years in various callings for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Nada possessed the gift of loving people as they are. Even strangers recognized this gift of compassion and often shared personal stories with her, enabling them to unburden their concerns and feel lightened from having spent time with her. In addition to opening her heart to others, she shared her home with family members for extended periods of time. Nada lovingly cared for her elderly parents in her home and then for her husband for several years. Her example of love and service has blessed generations of her family. We take solace in knowing that she is reunited with her beloved husband and other family members.

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of the intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the beauty in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that one life has breathed easier because you lived. This is to have succeeded.” ―Ralph Waldo Emerson

Nada, you were overwhelmingly successful. We love you.

Graveside services will be held Friday, September 11, 2020, 12:00 p.m. at Valley View Memorial Park, 4400 West 4100 South. A viewing from 10:30-11:45 a.m. will precede services at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road.