Ida Jean Perkes

Ida Jean Nilson Perkes, formally of Mapleton, Utah passed away on May 12, 2018 at the home of her daughter in Salt Lake City. She was born December 17, 1927 to Rose Ann Milligan and Parley Franklin Nilson at the family home in Smithfield, Utah.

Jean married her high school sweetheart, Weldon Vernon Perkes, July 12, 1946 in the Logan LDS Temple while he was on leave from the Army. They made their first home in Kentucky. They lived in several states over the years and made friends everywhere.

She attended school in Smithfield, Utah and graduated from North Cache High School. She played clarinet and was involved in sports. She was also involved in singing with a group of friends and other school activities.

She worked at various jobs growing up on a farm and helped support her own family gleaning fields, picking beans, working in food canneries, and as a telephone operator.

She was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in many capacities. She organized the primary in their branch in Rich Hill, Missouri. She taught seminary. She served a mission with Weldon in the South Dakota Rapid-City Family History Mission. They spent 18 months in Gonvick, Minnesota and surrounding area and made many friends. They also served in the Provo MTC as family history trainers.

Jean was an avid genealogist. She loved to hand stitch and tie quilts. Many of the quilts she made for grandkids are now in shreds, but they love them so much they refuse to throw them away. She loved to garden and sew. She was a wonderful homemaker and made the best homemade rolls. She canned hundreds of bottles of vegetables, fruit and meat. She loved to read and play the piano. She was a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. She loved to be of service and has always been an amazing example of taking care of other's needs. Her love and concern for her family, extended family, neighbors, and friends never ceased.

She is survived by her children: Nancy (Robert) Nilson; Kathy (Floyd) Bird; Kent (Tracey) Perkes; Nyla (Jeff) Johnson; Alan Perkes; Jill (Brian) Petty; Patricia (David) Byrn; and Lance Perkes and Linda Lease. She is also survived by a posterity of 72 grandchildren, 62 great-grandchildren, and 110 great-great-grandchildren with two more on the way. She has two living sisters-in-law LuJean Nilson and Shirley Pearce.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; siblings; sons-in-law: Richard Small, Ronald Peart and Larry Helvie; daughter-in-law, Lisa Smith Perkes; and great-grandson Daniel Nielson.

We love you and you will be missed.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, May 21, 2018 at the Mapleton Ninth Ward building, 31 West Maple St., Mapleton, Utah. A time of visitation will be held at the church on Sunday, May 20, 2018 from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at the and again from 9:30 until 10:45 on Monday. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery at 1997 S. 400 E., Springville, Utah Condolences and memories may be shared at serenicare.com.