Joleen Alverson

Our loving mother, and grandmother, Joleen Zabriskie Alverson returned home to her Father in Heaven on May 23, 2020. She was born on May 1, 1946 to Ruth Tolley Zabriskie and John Kenneth Zabriskie in Payson, Utah. Joleen was the second child of four children. Joleen spent her childhood living in Nephi, Utah. She was a happy child that brought much joy to her family. Joleen had a special relationship with her father, and enjoyed working in the Rose Garden Dedicated to All Nephi Veterans of World War II, alongside him. This is where her love to work in the garden came from. Joleen graduated from Nephi High School. She then attended and graduated from Beauty School.

Joleen and Gary Jones welcomed their first child together, Lynn Michelle on March 30, 1969. Joleen loved being a mother to Shelly and taking her everywhere with her. Joleen and Shelly always shared such a closeness that they could conquer the world together.

Joleen married Curtis A. Alverson on November 5th, 1971, after meeting on a blind date. After they married, Joleen and Curtis welcomed a set of twins, Mindy Ann and Misty Lee shortly after they had married on October 1, 1973. They then moved to California, as Curtis was in the Naval Reserves and Air Force Reserves at the time. As if twins did not keep her busy enough, they then welcomed another daughter, Kristie Jo on July 2, 1975.

Right after the birth of their last daughter, Curtis passed away suddenly in a motorcycle accident while on vacation with Joleen and the children. She never remarried after the death of her husband Curtis, who predeceased her by 44 years. Joleen raised her 4 young daughters on her own. She worked in a sewing factory after moving back to Utah. Joleen built a home in Spanish Fork, Utah, where she raised her daughters. Joleen then began a long successful career working at Brigham Young University Bookstore in their Receiving Department.

After she retired from BYU, Joleen was then able to focus on the things she loved in life, her children, grandchildren, crafts and the Utah Jazz. Anyone that knew Joleen knew that her humor was legendary and there was always a funny story the next time you saw her. She just had a way to make you laugh and feel like you have known her your whole life.

In her retirement years, she assumed guardianship of her grandchild Austin. She spent many years and time with Austin creating a special bond unlike anyone else. She truly loved Austin as if he was her own child.

She never missed an opportunity to get down on her hands and knees to play with a grandchild or feed them something that a parent might not say yes too. Even with the older grandchildren, she would entertain them with making videos on SnapChat using filters just laughing in the videos with the grandchildren.

Joleen was an avid Utah Jazz fan and never missed a game. Pretty sure she wasn't letting Jerry Sloan go without her. She cheered loud and hard for the Utah Jazz and loved to get the chance to talk to anyone that loved the Utah Jazz as much as her.

Most people will remember seeing Joleen with her sister Terri and her nieces at some of the Craft Fairs before COVID-19 happened. Joleen loved to go see all the different crafts people had made and always purchase a few items or two at the shows when they would go. That was a really special time for Joleen, she always spoke of it fondly.

Joleen is preceded in death by her husband Curtis A. Alverson, daughter Misty Lee Alverson Olson, granddaughter Ashley Shelbie Gardner, mother Ruth Tolley Zabriskie, father John Kenneth Zabriskie, sister Patricia Zabriskie. She is survived by her beloved daughters Shelly Lynn Wing, Kristie Park, and Mindy Gardner, sister Terrie Kay (Alan), brother Kenny Zabriskie (Melinda), and beloved grandchildren.

Joleen had touched so many people's lives, not just her family's, and will be missed greatly by all.

A viewing will be held Friday, May 29, 2020 from 11:00-11:45 am at Anderson Funeral Home (94 West 300 North) followed by a graveside at 12:00 pm at Vine Bluff Cemetery, Nephi, Utah. There will be a small program at the cemetery, please bring a chair.