Jeanne Ursenbach Mattson, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and lifelong educator, passed away on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at the age of 83 in Nampa, Idaho. Her spiritual flame continues to burn brightly, illuminating the countless lives she touched with her unwavering love, kindness, and grace.
Born and raised in California, Jeanne met her loving husband, Gale, and they were married in the Los Angeles Temple on March 31, 1966. As Gale pursued his education in social work, Jeanne followed him to Logan, Utah, where their first daughter was born. His career then took them to Northern Idaho, where three more children joined their family. They eventually settled in Idaho Falls, Idaho, where Jeanne and Gale spent most of their married life raising their four children.
In 2018, Jeanne and Gale moved to Nampa, Idaho, to be closer to family. It was in Nampa that Jeanne lived out the remainder of her life, surrounded by the family she cherished.
A dedicated stay-at-home mother for many years, Jeanne later pursued her passion for teaching kindergarten, a role she loved until her retirement in 2003. An avid reader, she passed on her love of literature to her children and grandchildren, delighting them with regular story times.
Jeanne was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, giving much of her time to service, humanitarian efforts, and genealogy research. She found joy in journaling, reflecting deeply on her life experiences and preserving memories for generations to come.
In addition to her teaching, Jeanne generously shared her musical talents, teaching piano lessons to countless children in her community. She took great pride in her students’ progress and confidence. Her signature hairstyle was a symbol of her attention to beauty and order in daily life.
Jeanne embraced the outdoors with an adventurous spirit—enjoying camping, four-wheeling, and planning special trips with her grandchildren when they turned ten. She welcomed new experiences and cherished life’s simple pleasures.
Known for her unwavering positivity, Jeanne had a remarkable ability to see the best in others and encourage their strengths. As a beloved matriarch, she led her family with wisdom, kindness, and a competitive edge when it came to family card games, where she always played to win.
Despite the physical challenges of living with multiple sclerosis, Jeanne’s spiritual flame never dimmed. The memories she created with her husband, children, grandchildren, family, church members, and friends will continue to uplift and inspire all who knew her.
Jeanne often encouraged others to treat each day as a gift, let kindness and grace prevail, and to never miss the chance to express love. Her legacy of compassion and purpose will continue to shine as a beacon of her extraordinary life.
Jeanne is survived by her husband of 58 years, Gale; her four children: Catherine Weber (ID), Gerald Mattson (UT), Laura Atkinson (KY), and Eric Mattson (AK); 13 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and four younger sisters: Patricia, Lynne, Anne, and Cynthia. She was preceded in death by her parents, Grant and Alice Ursenbach, and her older brother, Young Grant. Jeanne will be deeply missed, but her spiritual flame will continue to illuminate the hearts of all who were blessed to know her.
A viewing will be held at 11:00 a.m., with the funeral service to follow at 1:00 p.m., Friday, March 7, 2025, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 11288 W Roosevelt Ave, Nampa, ID. Graveside services will conclude at Kohlerlawn Cemetery.
