JoAnne Olson Holfeltz

Reva JoAnne Olson Holfeltz, affectionately known as “Joey” by her husband and “Nana” by her grandkids, was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister and friend. She returned peacefully to her heavenly home on June 15, 2024, following a long illness with dementia. Throughout her illness, she was lovingly cared for by her devoted husband Clark, who never left her side. His unwavering support and compassion provided her with comfort and strength.

JoAnne was born on February 7, 1936, in Salt Lake City, Utah. JoAnne is the second child of Lester Gustave Olson and Reva Parry Olson. Much of JoAnne’s time as a child and youth was spent helping her parents raise her six brothers and five sisters. JoAnne attended Whittier Elementary School, Olympus Junior High School, Granite High School, and was a member of the first graduating class of Olympus High in 1954.

JoAnne met Clark Duane Holfeltz at ZCMI where they were both employed. They were later married on November 21, 1956. Every day of their 67 years together was characterized by the real things in life: work, sacrifice, compromise, and most importantly, love.

In 1957, Clark was hired by the US Government. In 1963, they were transferred from Salt Lake City, Utah to Los Angeles, California where they lived close to JoAnne’s sister, Nancy and her family. While Clark was employed by the US Civil Service Commission, JoAnne and their daughters loved to join him on one-and two-month work assignments to various parts of the country. Though this meant extra work (usually on short notice) for JoAnne, she never complained since these “details” provided them with opportunities to travel to interesting places and to allow their daughters to experience things they never would have experienced otherwise.

After five years in California, the Holfeltz family moved to northern Idaho for a year. When a position opened in Salt Lake City, the entire family was thrilled to return to live near their many relatives. Family was always the most important thing to JoAnne.

In 1972, JoAnne began working part-time for her father’s family business, the Les Olson Company, a copying and dictation company Les had started in 1956. JoAnne arranged her work hours around her children’s school schedule so that she could be home when they were home. She worked harmoniously alongside her dad, mom, siblings, nieces, nephews and other devoted employees for many decades.

In addition to being devoted to her family of origin, JoAnne was a dedicated mother to her three daughters Heidi, Laura, and Jenny. She fostered their growth as she tirelessly nurtured them, became a close confidante as she loved them through life’s toughest challenges, and encouraged their success through her unwavering support. She was highly influential in helping each of them become the wonderful women they are today.

It should not be overlooked that throughout all her years, JoAnne was renowned for her excellent cooking and impeccable housekeeping. Despite having white carpet and nine grandchildren who frequently visited her home, the carpet remained spotless, a testament to her meticulous care. JoAnne was also a woman who always looked beautiful, with perfectly coiffed hair and freshly painted nails.

One of the great joys of JoAnne’s life was her posterity. She spoiled her grandchildren relentlessly, looked for the good in them constantly, and never let any one of them feel unloved. She initiated trips for each of the grandchildren when they turned 8-years-old, and she and Clark made many wonderful memories on these trips. Each of the grandchildren are forever fans of the Utah Jazz on account of her taking them to numerous games. Her annual ice-skating party to celebrate her birthday and her pool parties were not to be missed. She and Clark supported the grandchildren at events large and small, including music recitals, soccer games, graduations from high school and college, and missionary farewells and homecomings. She excitedly welcomed and showered love upon the offspring of these grandchildren. She is truly a grandmother for the ages.

Clark and JoAnne’s devotion to each other was evident to all. In 2021, after approximately a 4-hour wait to get the COVID-19 vaccine, a nurse spotted Clark and JoAnne sharing a hug in the waiting room. She commented, “That is the most beautiful thing I’ve seen all day!” Clark replied, “Well, you’ve missed most of it - this has been going on for 60 plus years!”

JoAnne, you are truly missed by your family and friends. The legacy that you have left of family and unconditional love has made this world a better place for many and will continue to do so for generations to come. Thank you for your special contribution to each of our lives. We know that you would want us all to “keep going strong!”

JoAnne is survived by her husband, Clark Duane Holfeltz; daughters Heidi Holfeltz Parker, Laura Holfeltz Odom, and Jenny Holfeltz Stauffer (Cal).

She is also survived by her nine grandchildren Robby Parker (Courtney); Heather Parker Dahl (Tanner); Natalie Parker Ellis (Mikey); Tannya Stauffer (Matt); Melissa Stauffer White (Chris); Jennifer Parker Smith (Matt); Megan Parker Petty (Tanner); Sarah Parker Worthington (Jacob); and Jason Stauffer and seventeen great-grandchildren.

She is also survived by her siblings Annette Olson Babcock (Cal); Ray Olson (Anna); Larry Olson (Patty); Jim Olson (Debbie); Susan Olson Bingham (Rex); Scott Olson (Claudia); Debbie Olson (Roger).

JoAnne was preceded in death by her parents Les and Reva Olson, and siblings Barbara Olson Clawson (Kingsley), Nancy Olson Fuller (Bill), Steve Olson (Susan), and Tom Olson (Sally).

Finally, the family wishes to give special thanks to Tristan Merrill, Liz Cole and others at Renew Hospice for the important role they played in JoAnne’s care, as well as the care team at Abbington Senior Living at Murray where Clark and JoAnne lived during the last few years of JoAnne’s life.

Visitation for JoAnne will be held on Friday, June 28, 2024, from 10:00-10:45 AM at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 S. Highland Dr. Millcreek, UT 84106. Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 28, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 S. Highland Dr. Millcreek, UT 84106. There will be a Memorial Luncheon held on Friday, June 28, 2024, at 12:30 PM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 160 E. 4600 S. Murray, UT 84107