Our beloved JoAnne Kreutzer Asay, 51, returned to our Father in Heaven on Wednesday, April 21, 1999 after a long and courageous battle with breast cancer. Now that she is free from her cancer-ravaged body, she is able to once again spread her cheer, laughter, smiles, and use her wonderful capacity to love. She will be missed by her parents, husband, children, grandchild, and extended family but will always be remembered for her unique ability to gracefully handle challenges, unselfishly offer her love in behalf of others, and always share a smile and a word of encouragement to her loved ones. She enjoyed establishing and celebrating family traditions and loved to tell a good story. She always remembered her friends as if they were her sisters.
She was born May 29, 1947 in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Donald G. Kreutzer and Clara Beth Stoddart. She was the third of four children. She was a woman of child-like faith with a tremendous capacity for charity and hope. JoAnne married and was sealed to her sweetheart David J. Asay in the Logan LDS Temple on July 18, 1968. She graduated from Bountiful High School in 1965 and attended Weber State and the University of Utah. "Go Utes!" Her love of people and her wonderful sense of humor forged many life-long friendships with people from all walks of life.
Active in the Church, she served in many capacities, but loved none more than her "Little Angels" in the Primary who prayed for her every day. She was a member of the Farmington 2nd Ward.
JoAnne was more proud of her "Little Chickadees" than anything else. Daughters, Jodi (Don) Parr and Jill Asay, son Martin D. Asay, and the "Screamin Mimi," her wonderful granddaughter, Jordan Parr, survive her. Her parents, husband and brothers Dennis G. (Sally) Kreutzer (Palatine, Illinois), Richard J. (Kathy) Kreutzer (Sandy, Utah) and beloved sister Jane K. (Richard) Hall (Riverdale, Utah), also survive her. She loved her nephews and nieces as if they were her own children.
JoAnne's work was a labor of love for women fighting breast cancer. Employed at Carol's Personal Boutique, she brought great comfort and hope to hundreds of ladies. For several years she was a hostess and tour guide at the Beehive House and loved the friendships she made there and gained a great sense of appreciation for Brigham Young.
"I've had a wonderful life, I've never missed a meal because I was poor. I was never forced to wait in line for food. I've never had to wear anything secondhand, unless I chose to do so. I never wanted in my heart for love and compassion because I was born and then married into the most wonderful circumstances I could have wished for. I am embarrassed at the lack of sacrifices I've had to make. I have always had a warm home and secure bed. I've never wanted for material things and I've never had to go without spiritual blessings either. I've been able to glimpse places in the world that had only existed in my imagination! In fact, the more closely I scrutinize my life, the more I see how wondrous and great it truly has been! I've never lacked for friends, for wonderful children and a loving husband, or for loving relatives. Perhaps most of all, the Gospel prepared me to accept the challenges and to appreciate all of my sweet tender blessings, because I've never lacked faith and always had a simple but sure testimony."
The family wishes to thank Drs. Kent DiFiore and Greg Litton, dear friend and confidante, Carol Lee, Gene Aguilar and the staff at Intermountain Oncology for the wonderful services they performed for JoAnne. Their dedication and commitment to JoAnne was truly special. We are also most grateful to Charyol Wilcox and the Vista Care Hospice staff.
JoAnne had but one simple request that she asked from her family and friends. "Remember me with joy and happiness If you can only remember me with tears and sorrow, I'd rather you not remember me at all."
Funeral services will be conducted Monday, April 26, 1999 at 11 a.m. in the Farmington Utah South Stake Center, 795 South 200 East, Farmington. Friends may call at the Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 North Main Street, Bountiful, Sunday evening from 6 to 8:30 p.m. and at the Church Monday from 9:45 - 10:45 a.m. prior to the services. Interment at Farmington City Cemetery. Published in the Deseret News Friday, April 23 1999
