Jessie Mae Sagers Johnson 'A Love Story'
Jessie Mae Sagers Johnson, precious wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, died Friday, Aug. 27, 2010, with a view of her beloved Rush Valley before her and her sweetheart of 70 years by her side. She was born in Tooele on March 3, 1921, the daughter of Milton (Dick) and Doris Sagers of St. John, Utah. A blue-eyed, dark-haired and spirited girl who loved music and dances, she spent a happy childhood in St. John with friends, cousins and other family. She was a proud daughter of Mormon pioneer stock and honored that heritage, both in her longtime membership to Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and in her total devotion to family. Though they grew up just a few miles apart, it wasn't until a bus ride to Tooele High School that Jessie met Orson Johnson, a Clover boy. Jessie and Orson married in Las Vegas on August 31, 1941, and they were blessed with six children. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on June 28, 1946. Together they lived exactly the life they wanted, ranching on their family's Century Farm, enjoying the Clover and St. John community and raising their children to be hard-working, faithful people. Jessie and Orson are true companions and soulmates. Their bond was tested, and strengthened, in dealing with the loss of their youngest son, Steve, and the deaths of a daughter-in-law, two grandsons and a great-grandd aughter. Just a few months ago, Orson declared, "We are more in love now than ever." Jessie had beautiful fingernails and loved painting them red. She was an excellent cook, though she never thought so, who never got tired of making her family's favorites: potato salad, Darla's cake, caramel popcorn balls. She loved babies and sitting down for a "gab." Her grandkids remember snuggling on her lap, the most comfortable place in the world, and her warm, soft hands. She let her grandchildren play with whatever they wanted in her house, which is why her wooden Chinese figure was broken a dozen times and all the fur was rubbed off her ceramic puppies. She was a fierce and devoted advocate and best friend for her disabled grandson, Zach. She loved her LDS Church callings, including a mission with her husband to California. And woe betide the unfortunate non-fan of the Utah Jazz or BYU Cougars who happened across her path during a game. Jessie was a valiant and strong-minded person with a deep love for life. She and Orson never missed a grandchild's graduation, no matter how far away, and never missed a birthday of the more than 100 people who are proud to be numbered among their posterity. Simply put, she was always there for all of us. She has fought a good fight. She has finished her course. She has kept the faith. Jessie was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Gayle, Allan (Chris) and Cleone; her son, Steve; her daughter-in-law, Judy; her grandsons, Luke and Josh; and her great-granddaughter, Lauren. She is survived by her husband, Orson; her children: Darrell (Carol), Carol (John) Cluff, Van (Susie), Ray (Kathy) and Lee (Cathy); her siblings Jay, Robert and June; her 29 grandchildren; her nearly 70 great-grandchildren; and numerous cousins, neighbors and friends for whom a light has gone out in the world. Jessie's family would like to thank the staff of Mountain West Home Health and Hospice for their tender care of Jessie, as well as all of her wonderful doctors and nurses over the years. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1, at the Rush Valley Ward chapel, 985 N. Church St., Rush Valley. Friends and family may attend a viewing from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31, at Tate Mortuary, 110 S. Main St., Tooele. Interment and graveside service will be at the Clover Cemetery.