Jennifer Ann Johnson Sparks, 52, passed away peacefully on May 16, 2025, at Bear Lake Memorial Hospital, surrounded by her family, after a courageous battle with cancer.
She was born on March 10, 1973, to Ray D. and Shirley P. Johnson at Bear Lake Memorial Hospital. Jennifer was raised on the family farm in Ovid, Idaho, and attended schools in Paris and Montpelier, graduating from Bear Lake High School in 1991.
On April 24, 1992, she married the love of her life, Michael Sparks, in the Logan LDS Temple. They were later blessed with two sons, Cody Ray and Brayden Michael.
Jennifer was taught the value of hard work from a young age. As a teenager, she spent many summers picking raspberries in Garden City. She later ran a daycare from her home for several years so she could be home to raise her boys. She also earned her Certified Nurse Assistant license and used it to care for those in need at Bear Lake Manor.
Jennifer loved interacting with others and found great joy in her work as a customer service representative at several stores in Montpelier. Many people fondly remember her infectious smile and her bubbly, jovial personality.
A devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jennifer served faithfully in many callings, especially in the Primary and Young Women’s organizations.
She is survived by her loving husband of 33 years, Michael; her two sons, Cody (Shanaya) Sparks of Montpelier and Brayden Sparks of Ovid; and three grandchildren—Oakley, Luke, and Dale—who she adored more than anything. She is also survived by her siblings: Max (Jean) Johnson of Providence, UT; Rodney (Suzanne) Johnson of Pocatello, ID; Rex (Dee) Johnson of Bern, ID; Marie (Jerry) Somers of North Logan, UT; and Brenda (Patrick) Wolf of Waldport, OR; as well as many nieces and nephews who cherished spending time with their “Aunt Jenny.”
She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Lenard Johnson.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at the Liberty Ward Church at 11:00 am. A viewing will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at Schwab-Matthews Mortuary and one hour prior to the services at the church. Burial will follow at the Ovid Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Jennifer’s honor to the Intermountain Healthcare–Logan (Gossner) Cancer Center in Logan, UT, or Bear Lake Memorial Hospital. The family is deeply grateful for the compassionate care Jennifer received from the staff at both of these wonderful facilities.