Jennis Farley Andelin

Jennis Farley Andelin passed away peacefully in her home on November 25, 2024. Jennis' final days were spent as she had lived her whole life – surrounded by family and friends who she loved and who dearly loved her. Jennis lived an exemplary life of service to others, devotion to family, and unwavering commitment to the principles of her faith in Jesus Christ. She was an accomplished teacher, skilled painter, talented and prolific seamstress, and a loving and supportive wife, mother, and grandmother.

Jennis was born on May 14, 1926, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Kenneth George Farley and Jennis Ridges Farley. She was the oldest child with two sisters, Jane and Ann, and a brother, Kenneth. From a young age Jennis learned the importance of hard work and the value of service by helping with household chores, gardening, and working at the welfare center. Her mother instilled in her the value of self-sufficiency, teaching her to sew, can produce, and make butter. Jennis grew up playing games, riding her pony, sleigh riding down Wasatch Blvd, and eating picnic lunches under the cherry trees. She also cherished the opportunity to earn money and save by picking berries and babysitting.

After graduating from Granite High School in 1944, Jennis attended the University of Utah, where she majored in Elementary Education and minored in languages. Later, she met the love of her life, Robert L'Etrenne Andelin. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on June 22, 1949. Together, they were blessed with eight children: Robert (Paula), Mark (Tia), Susan (Mike), Brian (Elaine), Gary (Jeanie), Jim (Sherry), Kenny (Lisa), and Carol (Mark). They also have 60 grandchildren, 183 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren.

In their early years together, Jennis taught 3rd grade in Holladay, Utah. Bob's career and their growing family necessitated moving the family several times. They lived for extended periods in Los Alamos, New Mexico, Idaho Falls, Idaho and Pasco, Washington where she resided for more than 50 years until moving to her final home in Eagle, Idaho. As a mother, Jennis created a home filled with love and the ideal environment to learn and live the gospel of Jesus Christ. She served faithfully in her many Church callings which included service to the Primary, Young Women, Sunday School, Seminary and Relief Society organizations. Jennis loved to use her incredible talents in sewing and painting to bless others. She made hundreds of blankets, quilts, pajamas, and dresses and her many paintings are treasures for her children and grandchildren.

In 1992, Jennis and Bob served a mission together in Washington DC. They would joyfully fill the remainder of their lives visiting family, attending reunions, and serving in both the Seattle and Columbia River Temples. Their temple service brought them great joy and strengthened the eternal bond, which they now can together again enjoy.

Jennis' exemplary long life of 98 years has left an enduring legacy of the joy in service to God's children and the happiness that comes from following the Gospel's teachings. Her faith and testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ was unwavering, and it sustained her throughout her life.