1932 — 2022
Our kind and wonderful mom, wife, grandma, sister, teacher, mentor and counselor, peacefully passed away on a beautiful autumn day, surrounded by her children. Jeanette was born to Vera and Gottlieb “Jim” Knodel near Bethune, Colorado on New Year’s Day, 1932, and was placed on this earth to help others. She loved her family, the farm, the prairie, and Tony the Pony, eventually leaving Bethune in 1950 to attend Colorado State College of Education.
Upon graduating with a teaching degree in 1954, she flew to Hawaii to marry Gene Amman, who was stationed at Tripler Army Hospital in Honolulu; quite a change from the eastern Colorado prairie to the tropical beaches. The newlyweds returned to Fort Collins, Colorado and started a family. Pursuing Gene’s education and career, they lived in Asheville, NC and Ann Arbor, MI before settling in North Ogden, UT in 1966.
Jeanette came from a long line of inquisitive, studious people. She had a thirst for knowledge, especially regarding cultures of the world, the fine and performing arts, and nature. She was always reading a book or magazine, or watching educational shows featuring music, nature, travel or foreign cultures. This was her way of seeing the world without leaving her beloved neighborhood! Her children have inherited this thirst for knowledge and interest in the arts, nature and world cultures. Over the years, Jeanette collected hundreds of pieces of folk-art figures, paintings, and antiques. She made the family home a cozy, colorful folk-art museum of sorts.
Jeanette was a talented and diligent gardener, and she stayed busy in her yard until her passing. She wore a pedometer and mowed her own lawn into her late 80’s, saying it was about a two mile walk – great exercise! She grew vegetables and fruit, which supplied the dinner table. Like all great cooks, she made it from scratch, and could create a nice dinner seemingly from almost nothing at all. Her Parker House rolls and apple pie were second to none. She was also a talented seamstress and needlepoint artist, making her own blouses and skirts, children’s clothes, numerous Halloween costumes, and costumes for her children’s school plays.
Above all, Jeanette was an elementary school teacher; An empathetic, dedicated, caring person who served Weber County School District children for 30 years. She was well respected and greatly admired for her skill in Special Education. She strove to help children in difficult or disadvantaged situations, and her goal was to have everyone feel that they belonged and that they were valuable.
Jeanette is preceded in death by her parents, and by her husband, Gene; her sisters Esther, Ruby, and Alice. She is survived by her brother Paul Knodel (Mildred), Lakewood, CO. Jeanette lives on through her children, Anthony Amman (Diana), North Ogden; Alan Amman (Jose), Los Angeles, CA; Susan Raymond, Lakewood, CO; David Amman (Maryrose), Helena, MT; Mary Lebert (Chris), Juneau, AK; grandchildren: Jackson, Madeline, Andrew, Jenna, Julia; Great-Grandchildren: Memphis and Sophia.
Jeanette will be interred at her beloved Hope Congregational Church cemetery on the beautiful Colorado prairie of her origin.
Services entrusted to Myers Mortuary, 845 Washington Blvd., Ogden, Utah.
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