Jeannie John Vendell

“I was born Dorothy Jean. My name is Jeannie. Don’t call me Dorothy, don’t call me Jean.”

An amazing journey came to an end for an amazing woman. Jeannie John Vendell passed away on Aug 30, 2021. While her time in this life came to an end, her legacy will continue. Jeannie was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church. She lived her faith and life to the fullest.

Jeannie was born June 30, 1931, to Ike and Gussie John. She lived the majority of her life in Ogden growing up with her sisters Lynn Thorne and Nancy Deis

Jeannie attended Ogden High School, graduating in 1949, and completed two years at Weber College. She had many lifelong friends from her time in school that she described as the BEST. Jeannie loved a good time with her family and embraced any excuse to have a party. She had an uncanny way of connecting with people and have a good laugh.

She was an avid supporter of Weber State Athletics. Basketball was her passion and loved supporting the Wildcats. Among her love for all things sports, she played tennis, golfed, skied, and bowled in a league for many years. As an avid reader, she loved her quiet time with a good read.

Jeannie also loved the arts including the Utah Symphony. She was a regular at The Capitol and Eccles Broadway theatres and wouldn’t miss Saturday’s Voyeur.

Jeannie’s home was always open to family and friends. She loved it when someone would drop by for a visit. Warm and friendly is what you got.

Jeannie was a successful businesswoman. She owned and operated three retail stores, “Kids Klothes” in the mid-’80s.

Jeannie married Jim Newton in 1951 and had three children, Mike, John, and Lynn. She married Ed Vendell in 1983 and from then on it was a non-stop adventure. Jeannie and Ed traveled extensively. Memories of a trip to New Zealand and a Panama Canal cruise stood out. Annual outings included Jackson Hole and the family getaway to Snowbird. Snowbird was a weeklong retreat to spend time with family playing cards, going on a hike, or enjoying Oktoberfest. A tradition that Jeannie started in 1975 and 46 years later still it’s going strong.

Jeannie will be missed by loving children: Mike Newton (Beverley), John Newton (Linda), Lynn Johnson (Roy), grandchildren Jon, Scott, Shon, Melanie, Kyle, Morgan, and also eleven great-grandchildren.

A special thank you to the staff of the Treeo and Hidden Valley where Jeannie spent her last years.

A Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, September 7, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. with a viewing held from 9:45-10:45 a.m. at Leavitt’s Mortuary 836 36th Street Ogden, Utah.

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Interment at Leavitt’s Aultorest Memorial Park.