JoAnne Ames

JoAnne Larsen Ames was born on August 24, 1944, on the steps of the hospital in Tremonton, UT. Her Mama said she was a beautiful baby. Her Parents were Marie Petersen Larsen and Ariel Larsen.

JoAnne grew up in a variety of locations throughout Utah such as Garland, Tremonton, and Farmington helping on her uncle’s farm and in her Mama’s Cafe. She continued to have a love for gardening and cooking throughout her life. She graduated from Bountiful High School in 1961, and attended Portland Business College in Portland, Oregon. JoAnne began working for the Idaho Falls LDS Hospital in September of 1973 as a housekeeper. It was there that she met the love of her life, L. Udell Ames. They married the following January on his birthday after one date. They were blessed to enjoy the affiliation and camaraderie of the 3 children from his first marriage and many grandchildren soon after. Their first daughter, Belynda was born on Thanksgiving of 1974. Two years later on New Year’s Eve their last daughter, Kimberly, arrived. On January 15, 1983, they were sealed as a family in the Idaho Falls Temple. They lived in a variety of places throughout Eastern Idaho. Joanne had several different jobs and worked hard to provide for her family. In the summer of 1995, she began working for Ricks College food services and stayed with them in their catering department through their transition to BYU-Idaho.

She held a strong belief in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in a variety of positions within this organization including serving a mission at the Humanitarian Center from 2013 to 2018.

Preceded in death by Father Ariel Larsen. Daddy Halse Frandsen. Brother Farrell Frandsen. Mama Marie Petersen Pearson. Husband Leroy Udell Ames. Sister Rose Marie Lund.

Survived by daughter Belynda Marie Fuell (Frank Jay Fuell Jr.) and Kimberly Noel Woolstenhulme (Blake Woolstenhulme), Step-children; Bonita (Joe) Maughan, Rita (Leon) Hebdon, and Randy (Nancy) Ames. Several grandchildren and great grandchildren including many bonus grandchildren.



A memorial service will be held for JoAnne on Saturday, June 15, 2024 in the Ucon LDS Stake Center (2967 East 105th North, Ucon, ID 83454) at 10:00 AM. The family will meet with friends Friday, June 14, 2024 at Eckersell Funeral Home (101 West Main Street, Rigby, ID 83442) from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. Interment will be in the Ucon City Cemetery. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.eckersellfuneralhome.com.