Rula Jean Ames

Born August 16, 1937, Jean was the youngest daughter of the three children of Clarence Loren and Edith Freestone Burton. She was born and raised in Ogden and attended Ogden High School. Throughout her early years she learned American Sign Language and was the primary communicator for her older brother, Clarence, who was born deaf. Some of her fondest memories were times spent with her grandparents and extended family in Grace Idaho. She also spoke often of having rheumatic fever as a child and through her illness built a very strong bond with her father who gave her the nickname “Dolly”. She later worked as a seamstress, a homemaker and house cleaner, and for assisted living facilities as a caretaker. She took a job at a facility in the 1980s to ensure she could provide care for her own mother, Edith. In later years she was a motivational speaker for Weight Watchers and loved her interactions helping others achieve their health goals.

Jean loved to read and was an avid writer of poetry. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family. Frequently she and her son Ron would talk for hours into the night. She enjoyed making crafts and watching TV with her daughter-in-law, Nikki, or just checking on other extended family.

Jean was married to Ronald V. Rich Sr. from June 17th of 1957 until October of 1972. They remained friends, especially later in her life.  She was later married to Wesley Duane “Wes” Sibert from December 23rd of 1974 until November of 1991. She then married James “Jim” Douglas Ames April 13th, 1993, and he preceded her in death in April of 2012.  Jean and Jim enjoyed traveling to visit family or go fishing. Jean loved fishing with her sister, Mary, at Mackay Reservoir in Idaho and loved to travel to American Falls with her son, Scott. She and Jim loved their time together working together in the American Falls Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Jean was always a caregiver who took care of her sister, Mary, and always wanted the best for her family and friends. She made many great memories with her best friend Delone McKnight in Pocatello. During the last several years of her life she and her daughter-in-law JoAnn took many epic road trips, many times with her granddaughter Amy along for the ride, most of the time there was no destination in mind, but they always had a great time and they were able to see many interesting things.

Rula will be remembered for her sense of humor, her ability to keep it all together and run a tight ship, and in spite of being the sassiest firecracker around, her strength and independence were balanced by her deep concern for others and her gentle and attentive care, both to her children and to her precious fur and feather babies.

Rula is survived by her sons, Ronald V. (JoAnn) Rich and Scott L. (Nikki) Rich, both of Ogden; grandchildren, including Brandon Noyes, Eryk Rich, Brody Rich, Amy Rich; and two great-grandchildren, Bodie Noyes and Brexlie Wallentine. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Jim, her sister, Mary, and her brother, Clarence, Jr. The family wants to thank the kind care and good friends from Avamere at Mountain Ridge assisted living where she spent the last year and a half of her life.

Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at Kaysville City Cemetery, 500 Crestwood Road, Kaysville, Utah.

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