Margaret Joan Kennard Zitzman Schooff

Margaret Joan Kennard Zitzman Schooff who died on December 7, 2021, was born January 23, 1938 in Salt Lake City Utah, the daughter of Margaret Evans and James Rex Kennard (who passed away 23 days before Joan's birth) After her mother married again, she was adopted by L. Henry Zitzman. She married Maury W. Schooff on June 25, 1959 in Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Chris of Latter Day Saints. They are the parents of three children, Richard Maury (Becky), Michael Douglas (Catherine), and Rebecka Sue Oxner. She is survived by her husband and children, seven grand children and 12 great grand children, and her brothers Lewis Henry Zitzman and David Evans Zitzman (Linda. Those that proceeded her in death are her mother, Margaret, her fathers Rex and Henry, a daughter-in-law Sharon Lord Schooff (Richard)

Joan lived an amazing life as a loving and respected daughter of Heavenly Father and a disciple of Jesus Christ, as an exemplary wife and mother, and as a talented creator.

As a disciple of Christ, she taught the Seminary youth of the Church about the Savior and His gospel for many years. She served in many of the auxiliaries of Church where her skills as a master teacher helped form the testimonies of those she served. For three years she served as the Matron of the Winter Quarters Temple where she loved to stand at the top of the stairs to greet the patrons warmly with a smile and where she learned to love her Savior.

She joyfully supported her husband in his military career and his church assignments. She hosted in her home many general authorities and leaders of the Church. She also represented some of the Auxiliary leaders at training meetings and will be remembered for her comments about the Temple in stake conferences.

Her motherly instincts were apparent in the success of her three children Rich, Mike and Becky. She attended their games, meets, and performances. When Rich was an umpire for youth baseball, other mothers would ask which one was her son to which she would respond, the one in blue. During the fall, she would prepare a scrambled egg for Mike and then go to the field to watch his football game. She attended every track meet, gymnastic competition, basketball game and other event where Becky participated. She was recognized as the most devoted mother more than once.

She always had time to hem a pair of pants for someone heading to the temple, to make a blessing dress for her grand daughters and great grand daughters and to put a zipper in a dress for a neighbor. She loved quilting! One of her quilts won first prize at the annual Omaha Quilt Guild show and then was featured on the cover of a quilting magazine. During the Covid pandemic she made gowns for teachers and day care staff members. She also made masks for family, friends and others.

Yes, she will be missed. But she is no longer in pain or frustrated by the effects of Alzheimer’s On the other side of the veil, she has had a grand reunion with her mother and others and, most importantly, met her father, Rex, who passed away before she was born.

Graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, Jan 22 at Salt Lake City Cemetery.