Joanne Virginia Stephens Ekker, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on Dec 30, 2023, surrounded by the love of those she loved.
Joanne was born the second child of Floyd and Virginia Stephens on May 24, 1952, in El Paso, Texas. Her family moved several times in her youth because her father was in the Army. Her most notable adventure was attending 3rd grade in Germany before her parents eventually settled in Green River, Utah in 1962.
Joanne met the love of her life in her parent’s drug store in Green River. She liked to tease that she got the catch in the hot rod car over all the other girls in town. Jay and Joanne were married on Dec 8, 1968. They were sealed in the Manti Temple on Dec 9, 1989. In their 55 years of marriage, they have witnessed all the joys and heartache that life has to offer and will remain devoted to each other through eternity. After Jay and Joanne were married, she was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she served in many callings and loved the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Joanne’s greatest joy and worry were her six children, 23 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. She would light up when any one of them would come home and cry when they left. Even until the end, her only concern was that her children would be ok. She loved fiercely. Her favorite times were when her family gathered, and she often just sat and watched all the excitement. She said she got car sick when her family would go anywhere and not take her with them. She loved to go on adventures and got to see much of the world on adventures with her family.
Joanne worked tirelessly at every job she had. Shortly after marriage Jay and Joanne opened Jay’s Fountain and Sundries in the same location of her parent’s drug store and ran that for three and a half years. She had many jobs, ranging from the city recorder to the Emery County travel bureau, John Wesley Powell Museum to the Tamarisk, and retired as the Postmaster. She loved being the Postmaster because she got to know everyone in town. Her kind influence affected many who passed through as well, as they shared that in letters that were sent to her. Joanne worked as the county sexton for many years and loved to keep the genealogical records of those who were buried in Green River. She was thoughtful to make sure the gravesites were tended and never forgotten.
Joanne is a survivor and fought to her very last breath as she didn’t want to leave her family. Her family and friends will forever cherish her.
She is survived by her husband, Jay Ekker; children, Stephen, Garrett (Alicia), Stacy (Earle Ankers), Gaylene (Lance Erwin), Sheena (Ty McArthur), Gabrin (Linda); 23 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; siblings, Sharon (Lonnie Kiser), Judy Ekker, Carla Ekker, Phyllis Blackburn, Kerry Bruce (Tina) Ekker; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
Joanne is preceded in death by her parents Floyd and Virginia Stephens. In-laws Riter and Elora Ekker. Siblings: Gary (Maydell) Ekker, Everett Ekker, Don Ekker.
Funeral service, Saturday, January 6, 2024, 1:00 p.m., at the Green River Ward Chapel, where the family will receive friends beginning at 11:00 a.m. Interment, Elgin Cemetery in Green River. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories of Joanne at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.