Olinda Leigh Hoehne Reynolds, a woman of deep humility, kindness, and devotion to God, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, December 22, 2023 at age 76, with her three children at her bedside. Olinda was born in Long Beach, California on May 23, 1947 to Herbert Fred and Irene Hall Hoehne.
They moved to Bountiful, Utah in 1950 where she was raised. From an early age, she sought after all things beautiful and creative. She showed great skill and natural talent in her artwork as a child. Her teachers would often comment how well she did, and one said: "You should become an artist!" And so, she did. She was the Student Body Artist at Bountiful High School and received the Visual Arts Sterling Scholar Award her senior year in 1965.
She attended Utah State University (1965-69) with an art scholarship where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Upon graduation, she worked as an artist doing freelance work and teaching art in public schools. Olinda served in the Northern German Mission from 1970-71 for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A few years later, church friends in Germany introduced her to a man from New York named John Reynolds, who was a recent convert to the church, and was living in Germany. They wrote letters and corresponded over phone for six months before John flew to Utah to meet her. After only a few days, he proposed, and they were later married in June 1977 in the Salt Lake Temple. They lived for eight years in Germany, where their two daughters were born. In 1985, they moved to Bountiful, Utah to raise their children near her family. In 1990, their son was born.
Olinda had many talents and interests. She remained fluent in German throughout her life and used it often in family history/genealogical research. Music touched her heart, and it would bring her to tears. She played the piano, harmonica, and ukelele. She also enjoyed singing in choirs, including the Mormon Youth Chorus. She did ballet and tap dance in her youth. Later in life, she joined a tap-dancing group called the "Dancing Grannies". Olinda was known for her beautiful yard with flowers, vegetable garden and a variety of fruit trees. She taught her children how to value and care for the earth through planting, weeding, pruning, and canning.
Olinda had an incredible gift for art. She received many awards for her talent and skill. She taught art classes to a variety of age groups over the years. She was commissioned to do portraits, still-life and nature scenes. She worked for Interpretive Graphics doing scenic byway signs in places such as Bryce Canyon, Goblin Valley, Dead Horse Point, Lake Powell, Jackson Hole, and other locations across the US. She also did historical and religious paintings, including work for the LDS Church. Her artwork can be seen at the Sacred Grove, Martin's Cove, the St. George Temple, and Ensign Peak to name a few.
She diligently magnified all of her church callings, and also served with John as leadership support missionaries in Beattyville, Kentucky from 2013-14. She valued every opportunity to share her testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel restored to a living prophet in our day.
She was humble, unassuming, and without guile in all that she did. She never sought attention or recognition, despite her many talents and gifts. Her service to others was the most common way she showed her love for family and friends. For example, she was John's caretaker for five years in their home until his death in 2018 from ALS. She was a loving wife, never failing him.
Prior to her passing from the late stages of Lewy body dementia, she lived in her daughter Alaina's home for 18 months, surrounded by loving grandchildren. Five weeks prior to her passing, she moved to Copper Creek Senior Living Center when she required more assistance. We thank their nursing staff and Ovation Care & Hospice who served her during that time. They often commented on how pleasant she was to be around, and that even her resting face was a beautiful smile.
Olinda is survived by her three children: Alaina (Jacob) Fjeldsted, Kathryn Reynolds, and Justin (Ashlee) Reynolds; her siblings: Lucille (Frank) Mohlman, David (Debbie) Hoehne, and Curtis (Joanne) Hoehne; and her eight precious grandchildren: Miriam, Soren, Bryn, Harley, Anders, Dax, Demi, and Brody. She is preceded in death by Herb and Irene Hoehne (parents), Bonita Hoehne (sister), and her beloved husband John. We believe he greeted our angel mother when she exited this life, and we rejoice that they are reunited. Despite our sorrow in losing her for a season, we find lasting joy and peace knowing that we will all be together again as an eternal family.
We invite you join us in the celebration of her life with funeral services at 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM Saturday, December 30 at the Val Verda 2nd Ward Building, located at 3317 South 800 West in Bountiful, Utah, where viewings will be held Friday evening, December 29 from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM and Saturday morning, December 30 from 9:30 AM to 10:15 AM prior to services. Interment will be held at the Bountiful City Cemetery. Services will be streamed live on Russon Brothers Mortuary Facebook page.
