Janis Hottinger Jenkel

Surrounded by her loving family, Janis “Jan” Hottinger Jenkel,
Passed away on the night of March 28, 2019 in South Jordan, Utah.  In her 91 years our Mom, Grandmother, friend and socialite extraordinaire awoke everyday anxious for adventure.  She was never content to be in the house for a day as her hobby was to be out socializing and searching for more rainbows.
Born August 31, 1927 to Herman and Lily Mae Shore Hottinger, she grew up in the 9th and 9th district of Salt Lake City sharing life with sisters Verna Andrew, Donna Smolka, Bernice Evans and brothers Bill Hottinger and Ralph Hottinger (all  deceased)  who welcomed their new sister to an already established Hottinger household.  Through her mother Lily’s peaceful nature, Jan and her extended family remained close their entire lives.
Jan graduated from East High in June 1944, after which she attended LDS Business College and the University of Utah.  She strongly believed in education as a personal key to success.  She enthusiastically supported her son’s pursuit of their degrees from her beloved University of Utah (GO UTES).
As a single parent in the 50’s, Jan met, through connections at their work, Paul F Jenkel, an aspiring Air Traffic Controller and ex-WWII pilot.  The first date in July of 1955 was followed with dinner at her home the next night, and, as she describes it, “He just never left.”
In January of 1959, Jan married Paul (deceased 2005) and together they moved their new family to Taylorsville to begin a new life.  They enjoyed 46 eventful years of marriage and a long prosperous retirement filled with family, travel, golf and the company of many friends they made during their journeys.
Their home in Taylorsville was an active gathering place. Jan and Paul were active members of the 452nd Bomb Group which took them to numerous annual reunions around the United States and England. Their stack of Christmas cards was a testimony to the friendships they established in their travels.
Born just before the Great Depression and on the Home front through WWII, Jan witnessed amazing historical times.  She was an avid reader, crossword and word game enthusiast and retail shopper.   Bowling, golf, family reunions, symphony guild, garden club, daily lunch rendezvous and hosting parties rounded out her attempt to do it all.
Jan started her career at Hill Air Force Base in communications then transferred to the Salt Lake Flight Service Station (FAA) as a Teletype Operator.  She retired in April of 1977 after 27 years of service with great memories.
Jan is survived by sons Robert (Mary) Hall, and Richard (Lindsay) Jenkel. They will forever recall stories to tell of their mom.  Also known as Grandma Jan or Grandma Poopsie, Jan leaves 7 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild, all of whom loved their grandma Jan. They will cherish fond memories of Sunday dinners, swimming pool parties, Christmas/Holiday get-togethers, surviving grandma’s driving, and just plain grandma moments.  These memories will always be followed with a smile and a hearty laugh. As a family, we all share Jan’s enthusiasm for life and her love of people.
Jan would want to recognize the close tie she has shared the past 91 years with her extended Shore, Hottinger and Jenkel families.
A private family gathering and burial will take place at Mountain View Memorial Estates on Friday, April 5 at 1:00 pm.
Special appreciation and love to the aides, nurses and staff of Sagewood at Daybreak and Solstice Hospice that gave Jan a safe haven and wonderful care for the past two plus years.  There are angels among us.
Service Information

Graveside Service
April 5, 2019 at 1:30 PM
Mountain View Memorial