Joann Tolley

JoAnn Boardman Tolley, Age 93, of Nephi, UT, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 2, 2022, at Laurel Groves Assisted Living in Nephi.

JoAnn was born September 9, 1928 in Provo, Utah to Robert Lehman and Nelma Vacher Boardman. She was the oldest of two children, and one of her favorite titles attained in life was that of big sister to her brother, Robert (Bob). She attended all grade schools in Provo and graduated from Provo High School in 1946. JoAnn held many jobs throughout the years, but always spoke fondly of her time working at Singer Sewing Machine Company in her youth. She learned to be an expert in sewing from her mother, and her time working at Singer only added to her skillset which she would use and teach to others throughout life.

She met a young man by the name of Fred Maurice Tolley from Nephi, and after falling deeply in love the couple eloped to Elko Nevada to be married on June 17, 1950. Together they chose Nephi as their forever home where they would raise a strong family, and through the years become icons of the community.

Alongside Maurice, JoAnn was well known for operating Forsey's Variety Store, and Tolley Furniture from 1960-1988. She served her community well as a volunteer on several boards and committees. One that she is best known for is serving for over 20 years on the Juab County Fair Board. In 2004 JoAnn received the Outstanding Individual Award for service to the Fair and the community. She also devoted countless hours to the Ute Stampede Rodeo alongside Maurice during the 33-year period where he held the positions of Director and President of the Committee. While Maurice's name was officially attached to the position, everyone knew that much of the hard work was eagerly taken on by JoAnn. And the level of success the Ute Stampede enjoyed through the years would not have been achieved without her extraordinary contributions. To know JoAnn was to love her, and she will forever hold a place in our hearts as one of Nephi's classiest ladies.

Preceded in death by her parents; husband, Fred Maurice Tolley; sister-in-law, Beth Burton; sister-in-law, Iris Tolley; daughter-in-law, Cheryl Tolley; granddaughter, Mindy White; and grandson, Hunter Schroff. She is survived by her four children: Teresa (Gordon) Bean of St. George, UT; Scott Tolley of St. George, UT; Todd (Rolayne) Tolley of Leamington, UT; Mike (Rose) Tolley of Nephi, UT; 16 grandchildren; 50 great-grandchildren; 14 great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Bob (Carolyn) Boardman of Provo, UT; brother-in-law, Charles Tolley of Nephi, UT; sister-in-law, Susan (Karl) Pew of Nephi, UT; along with many nieces, nephews, and other family members who will miss her dearly.

Many thanks to the staff over the years at Laurel Groves Assisted Living for their exceptional, loving care of JoAnn.

A private service for her large extended family will be held on Tuesday, February 15th. Following the service, interment will be at Nephi City Cemetery at Noon where friends and family are all welcome to join. A celebration of JoAnn's life will also be held in summer, which was a wish of hers that the family will fulfill to celebrate fond memories and pride of the woman we all love so much.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Anderson Funeral Home, 94 West 300 North, Nephi, Utah 84648 - 435-623-0153. Friends and family are invited to sign JoAnn's online Tribute Wall at www.goffmortuary.com