Joan Arlene Capener Kimball

Joan Arlene Capener Kimball was born February 23,1932, in Chicago, Illinois. She was the eldest daughter of Dr. Eugene Jex Capener and Ramona Solveig Hansen. She was born in Chicago’s Rush Hospital, where her father was finishing his medical training. In 1932, they returned home to northern Utah, where their family had lived for three generations as farmers and ranchers. They settled in Randolph, Utah, where her father started his first medical practice. In 1938, they relocated to Salt Lake City. In Salt Lake, Joan enjoyed her formative years attending Uintah Elementary, Roosevelt Junior High and East High School.

Joan was an outstanding athlete, competing and coaching in swimming, tennis, golf and skiing. She particularly excelled at skiing; she competed regionally and nationally as captain of the University of Utah Women’s Ski Team in the early 1950s. She was active socially as a member of the Tri Delta Sorority and, in 1952, was elected University of Utah Snow Queen. She received her bachelor’s degree in physical education and became a stewardess for United Airlines in 1955. She was pursuing her Master’s degree when she met the dashing James (Jim) Kimball. They fell in love and were married in the Salt Lake Temple on December 28, 1959. Jim soon received a commission as an officer in the US Air Force and the newlyweds were sent to Davis Island Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, where Jim served in the Intelligence Corp during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Joan continued to fly with United Airlines until they welcomed their first son, Edward (Ted) into the family in 1963. Jim was honorably discharged and the family returned to Salt Lake City where they soon welcomed a second son, John, and a daughter, Amy, into the family. During these years Joan taught her children to ski and play tennis and supported her husband in his career as a developer in southern Utah and as a travel agent. These were some of their happiest years as they traveled together throughout the world on exciting adventures.

Both Jim and Joan were faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many callings throughout their lives. Given Joan’s gift for floral arranging, she had the unique calling of traveling to create beautiful floral arrangements in temples throughout the world. In 2004, Jim sadly passed away from cancer. Joan persevered for 22 more years, serving her children and grandchildren with love and hosting beloved weekly Sunday dinners for countless family and friends. The preponderant characteristics of this remarkable woman were a uniquely gracious demeanor and near constant gratitude for the blessings of this life. Even in her last years of frailty and physical ailment, she never complained and often expressed her gratitude with the familiar Norwegian refrain “tusen takk” – a thousand thanks.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, her brother, Jex, and her sister, Carol. She is survived by her children: Edward (Ted) Kimball (Wife: Rebekah; Children: Elijah, Jacob, Asher (Shannon), Lilly and Esther), John Kimball (Children: Abram (Sienna), Lucy and Ella Mae), and her daughter, Amy Kimball.

Funeral services will be held at the Salt Lake Ensign Peak Ward on 155 North Sandrun Road at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 22nd. Family will greet guests in the hour preceding the services. Graveside services will follow at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park. For those unable to attend, services will be streamed via Zoom. Please click on the “Watch Services” link above.

The family would like to especially thank the staff at The Ridge Assisted Living Center for their tireless and kind care for Joan in her final years.