Emili Eaton Johnson Obituary (1976 - 2019)

Emili Anne (Eaton) Johnson, our precious wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend was called home on May 15, 2019. Emili was born at Utah Valley Hospital on March 15, 1976 to Lee Daines and Kathleen (Jensen) Eaton. She was the second of thirteen children. Emili grew up in a loving home surrounded by playmates and motivated by an active imagination fixated on happiness, beauty, and virtue. At a young age Emili seemed to hold a fantasy where the world she saw was full of joy for everyone and no sadness, pain, or evil was present. When it was her turn to lead the story line, she directed a production worthy of queens and kings where every ending was a happy one and the audience would leave the theater inspired to do a little bit more to make reality match what was possible in her fantasy. Growing up Emili was constantly in motion. Before she could walk she somersaulted everywhere she went, including down the aisle in church. Emili developed her physical talents into becoming an elite (highest-level) all-around gymnast, with her favorite events being the uneven bars and balance beam. She was also an accomplished ballerina, reaching levels in just a few years that typically take a lifetime to achieve. Emili spent her high school years taught at home by her mother. She gleaned an appreciation for the focus, attention, and love provided by a loving mother and an appreciation for the work and effort required in that role. Building on the foundation of the importance of education from her parents, Emili attended and graduated from Snow College. She honored those early life lessons through dedication and hard work in solidifying and maximizing her ability to understand the world around her and teach her own family in truth. During her childhood and school years, she developed relationships with friends that she cherished. She continued to make relationships a priority throughout her life. Emili served an 18-month mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to both the Brazil Recife and Iowa Des Moines Missions. In Brazil, her dislike for living in impoverished conditions was eclipsed by the charity that swelled within her as she loved the people of Brazil with all her heart. That love for God’s children persisted as she resumed her service in Iowa. Both assignments broadened her love for her brothers and sisters and she developed an eternal perspective associated with our collective and individual potential as children of a loving Heavenly Father. Her relationships with her assigned companions and the people she met would provide her with memories she treasured and held sacred. Emili met the love of her life and subsequently married Kevin Lyle Johnson in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 12/15/2000. Together they tackled life with a shared purpose that would lead to immense joys and equip them to tackle significant trials together. Theirs was a true partnership built on love, admiration, and respect as they traversed life hand-in-hand, each one focused on the needs of the other. Emili loves the four children she and Kevin had together with all her heart, and they and Kevin are the source of her greatest joy. Emili’s life on Earth is best described in terms of service. If she could prompt a smile on anyone’s face, she would sacrifice anything to cultivate it. She found joy in serving others by providing meals, treats, notes of love and encouragement, embroidery, sewing, cleaning, curtains, crafts… anything that brought beauty, provided comfort, promoted virtue, or prompted love for anyone in need. Much of this was done at the expense of her own needs. She always held herself available to ease any sort of suffering. This service was in addition to her callings in The Church which included Primary President, Young Women’s Camp Director, and most recently, Young Women’s Secretary. She loved to serve in any capacity, and a smile was payment that filled her heart. Emili found peace and joy in particular when serving in the Temple. She held true to an eternal perspective in all her actions and drew strength to endure life’s trials through her faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement. She expressed her testimony in Christ in all facets of her life. Emili is survived on Earth by her husband, Kevin Lyle Johnson; their children: Preston Robert (16), Dallin Lee (11), Lauren Grace (6), and Alyssa Emili (3) Johnson; her parents, Lee and Kathi Eaton; and her siblings: Ami (Gary) Bartholomew, Tiffani (David) Judd, Kimberli (Luis) Munoz, Christopher (Lindsey) Eaton, Hillari (Michael) Allen, Staci (Klae) Beck, Kelly Eaton, Heidi (Ryan) Peck, L. Daine (Tasha) Eaton, Karli (Steven McGovern) Eaton, Spencer Eaton, and Tyler Eaton; father and mother-in-law, Robert and Janet Johnson; brothers and sisters-in-law, Lisa (Dale) McElmurry and, Brenda (Bryce) Allen, Brian (Pam) Johnson, and David (Julie) Johnson; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, her uncle, Kim Jensen, and her cousin, Sgt. Nathan Barnes. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the Stansbury Park Stake Center located at 417 Benson Road, Stansbury Park, Utah. Viewings will be held at the church on Friday, May 17 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and on Saturday, May 18 from 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Interment: Stansbury Park Cemetery. The family wants to express gratitude for the marvelous outpouring of love and support in their behalf. The love shared and received has been a testament of Emili’s outlook and pursuit of life.