Jenny Bess

Jennifer Leona "Jenny" Hill Bess, 38, of Ammon, Idaho, returned to her Heavenly Home on February 25, 2017. As she passed from this life to her next, she was surrounded by family and friends.

Jenny was born on December 15, 1978, in La Paz, Bolivia. Her parents, C. Eugene "Gene" and Joan Hill, were surprised and excited to welcome their first and only daughter into their lives. Jenny grew up in Orem, Utah, where she graduated from Orem High. In her youth, she excelled in many talents, including her love for music, playing the flute, oboe, and piano. She sang in choirs and participated in different orchestras and in band. Jenny attended Brigham Young University and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marriage, Family and Human Development.

Jenny served as a full-time missionary in the Ecuador Guayaquil North Mission. After her mission, she married the love of her life, John Darrell Bess, in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple on July 18, 2002, becoming his eternal companion. Jenny and John have five children: Bailey, Soli, Griffin, Gina, and Leia. Jenny loved to spend time with her family and watch her children learn and grow. She loved to laugh with her friends and spend time with them. Jenny was actively involved in her LDS wards, serving in multiple church callings and assignments.

A little over 17 months ago, Jenny was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. She valiantly fought each day to spend more time here on earth with her family. She wanted her children to know that she was not one to give up. Through much pain, treatment, and despair, she remained hopeful and optimistic. She was a mother to the end. Jenny was full of gratitude throughout her entire life. Many were drawn to her, followed her through this journey, and were inspired, encouraged, and blessed by her example of faith and courage. Just days before she parted, she wrote, "I am grateful for all that I’ve learned and experienced on the hardest journey that I’ve ever been on. Cancer sucks, but I’ve learned things I would not have been able to otherwise."

Jenny is preceded in death by her grandparents, Victor and Leona Pratt, Mark and Leonora Hill, an aunt, Lola Wheeler, and a brother-in-law, Mark Bess. She is survived by her parents, C. Eugene "Gene" and Joan Hill, her husband, John Bess, and her children, Bailey J., Soleina K. "Soli," Griffin J., Gina D., and Leia L. She is also survived by her five brothers, Stephen E. (Camille), Thomas A. (Robin), Brian T. (Kathy), Scott H. (Becky), and Kevin M. (Kambrey) Hill.

We will miss you deeply, Jenny. We love you and cherish the memories we have all made with you. God be with you till we meet again.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 4, 2017, at the LDS chapel located at 2349 E. Virlow Street, with Bishop Lindsay Sewell of the Idaho Falls LDS Sand Creek 3rd Ward officiating. The family will visit with friends Friday from 6:30-8 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 South Ammon Road, and Saturday from 9:30-10:45 a.m. prior to services at the church. Interment will be at the Iona Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jennifer L. Bess donation account, Zions Bank.

Funeral Services will be held