JoAnn Palmer

JoAnn Turner Palmer passed into the arms of waiting family on Friday, April 26, 2024. She had graciously battled Alzheimer’s for four years with patience and humor.

JoAnn was born on August 16, 1938 in Virgin, Utah. She was the eighth child of Isaac Amothy Turner and Hetty Arema Matthews. The family, including her grandma and grandpa, moved to northern Utah in the Pleasant Grove area when JoAnn was just 1.5 years old. Tragically, her grandpa was killed in an accident when she was only 3, but her Grandma Matthews would be her baby sitter, confidante, and friend while her parents both worked.

At the age of 4, tragedy struck again. Her 21-year-old brother, Blaine, dropped dead at a dance from a blood clot. Blaine always fussed over her and she missed him terribly. When JoAnn was 5, her sister Carol was married. After a miscarriage, Carol would give birth to Danny Reese. He was a special blessing as the family’s first grandchild and JoAnn’s first nephew. Tragedy always crept in and when JoAnn was 7, her beloved sister died in childbirth and the baby followed the next day.

Despite the hardships, there was joy in her life while living in Pleasant Grove. Her father would always be her idol and she learned to work at his side gardening, pouring cement, and even slaughtering hogs. If her dad was doing it, so was JoAnn. In July 1951, JoAnn’s family moved to Alpine following her 2 older brothers, Leo and Bill, who had married “Alpine girls".

In 1952, she met Vic Palmer, newly arrived from the Philippines and she had never looked at anyone else. They would marry on November 6, 1954. Vic went to get a degree in mechanical engineering. Together they would have 4 children, 12 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren. They would prove to be a very generous and loving couples, always stepping in to help whenever and wherever possible; delighting in being able to support their children and grandchildren’s special events and day-to-day antics.

JoAnn was her mother’s caregiver for years while raising her family and when her mother passed, she became a lunch lady. She took that same loving and generous spirit to work and was well respected and loved there.

After retirement, JoAnn and Vic settled int enjoying the home they had made in Alpine. JoAnn pursuing her handiwork and family - Vic always in the yard. They were devoted members of the Lehi McDonald’s club, meeting every morning for a sausage muffin – no cheese – plus strawberry jam and a Diet Coke.

JoAnn was diagnosed with short-term memory loss in March 2020 – moving slowly into Alzheimer’s. Vic would pass in March 2023, JoAnn following a year later. They have left a loving family here and moved into the loving family who have waited patiently for them on the other side.

Funeral services will be held Friday, May 10, 2024 at 11:00 am in the Mountainville 2nd Ward Chapel; 165 North 100 East, Alpine, Utah. Family and friends may attend a viewing before the service at the church from 9:30 - 10:45 am. Interment will be in the Alpine City Cemetery.