From humble beginnings born on her grandpa’s dairy farm in Highland, Utah on October 24th, 1940, we are sad to announce the passing from this life to the next, of our dear mother Jeanene D. Custer on August 4, 2026. She passed quickly and unexpectedly, exactly how she would have wanted it.

Jeanene had a curious mind and adventurous spirit from early on. She graduated from Carbon County High School where she played the drums in the jazz band and sang in the swing choir/glee club.

On December 27, 1978, she married the love of her life and soul mate Merle James Custer, who preceded her in death in 2007. They enjoyed many intellectual and spiritual pursuits together and are finally reunited.

Jeanene is survived by 9 children (one son preceded her in death in 2018), 48 grandchildren, 128 great grandchildren, and 35 great- great grandchildren.

She took tremendous pride in learning about and staying updated on the lives of all of her grandchildren. She loved them dearly and was always curious about their interests and future aspirations. She was extremely proud of them all.

She also dearly loved her Fellowship group members and cherished her friendships and the many study groups she attended with them. She was a woman of great faith and was always praying over her family and friends.

Jeanene was a passionate advocate of pursuing an education and achieved her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology & Instructional Science from Brigham Young University as a single mom. She worked as the Director of the Trio Programs (helping disadvantaged young people attend and be successful in college) at Dixie State University in St. George, Utah. She was also the Dean of Academic Advising at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon.

We will greatly miss her smile and laughter (she loved a good belly laugh), playing card games, (especially gin rummy), and her generous and loving spirit. Until we meet again Mama.