Stefanie Jimenez

1970 - 2017

Stefanie Jan Bingham Jimenez, 46, formerly of Idaho Falls, joined her baby, Marissa, and other loving family members on the other side March 24, 2017. She died of complications from a medical procedure and stroke at University of Utah Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Stefanie was born Aug. 29, 1970, in Ogden, Utah, to Steven Bingham and Janice Mason Bingham (Jan Mickelsen). She was the only daughter in a family of four brothers. She spent her youth in Idaho Falls.

Stefanie was a talented dancer, pianist and singer. When she was 16 years old, she recorded a beautiful rendition of "The Rose" and gave it to her mother on Mother's Day. Whitney Houston inspired her and her favorite song was "I Will Always Love You."

Stefanie was a second mother to her four brothers, Jeremy, Jim, Jon and Shawn. She would recruit them to play dress up. She had a deep and abiding love for her brothers and was so proud of them.

After graduating from Davis High School in Kaysville, Utah, in 1988, Stefanie married a handsome Air Force recruit from Pennsylvania named Jerry Emerick . Shortly after their marriage on Sept. 9, 1988, Jerry was assigned to serve in Germany, and so began her love of worldwide travel. Stefanie and Jerry welcomed their sweet daughter, Heather Renae Emerick, born June 30, 1990, in Germany. Stefanie and her little family traveled to other air bases as Jerry moved up in rank. Some of these areas included England and Turkey. She loved living abroad and made lasting friendships.

When her first marriage ended, she and Heather returned to Utah. She married Jou Jou Bamala, of Salt Lake City, in October of 2002. They became the parents of Kenan and Marissa and Shawn. Sadly, Marissa died shortly after a full-term birth June 30, 2003. Both of Stefie's girls were born June 30, 13 years apart. This was a loss that Stefanie never really got over. She often spoke of her beautiful baby, Marissa, and how she missed being able to raise her. Gratefully, they are together again.

Stefanie valued education and returned to Weber State University in Ogden and completed a bachelor's degree. This was quite an accomplishment given the challenges of family and other responsibilities.

Stefanie married Mario Jimenez of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, on April 12, 2013, in Farmington, Utah. She and her boys and Mario made their home in Jackson Hole. They enjoyed trips to Mexico and getting acquainted with Mario's family and culture.

At the time of Stefanie's death, she and her boys were living in Farmington, Utah. They attended the Oakridge LDS Ward.

Life is full of joy and sorrow… often at the same time and often overwhelming. Stefanie fought a good fight to stay with us, but in the end, peace was to be found on the other side. She now has a sound, healthy mind and body. She has been reunited with loved ones she had longed to see again. We look forward to the day when we can see her lovely face, enjoy her beautiful voice and her kind and loving nature.

Survivors include her children, Heather Emerick, of Panama City, Florida, and Kenan and Shawn Bamala, of Farmington, Utah, and her husband Mario Jimenez, of Jackson, Wyoming.

Stefanie is also survived by her mother and stepfather, Jan and Chris Mickelsen, of Idaho Falls; her father and stepmother, Steve and Cindy Bingham, of Farmington, Utah; and her brothers, Jeremy Bingham (Katy), of Bountiful, Utah; Jim Bingham (Abby) and Shawn Bingham (Olivia), of Boise; and Jon Bingham (Megan), of Ridgewood, New York.

She is also survived by five stepbrothers, Christian and Zachary Mickelsen and Shaun, Justin and Jordan Olson and three stepsisters, Jody Nelson, Marci Mickelsen and Megan Longden. Her many nieces, nephews and friends will always love her.

Funeral services for our beloved Stefie were held April 3 in Farmington, Utah, under the direction of Russon Brothers Mortuary. Burial was in Kaysville, Utah, Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to Jan and Chris Mickelsen, 6245 Wing Point Drive, Idaho Falls, ID 83401.