Cleo Nadine Provance

Cleo Nadine Reagan Provance, 98, slipped peacefully to the other side of the veil, on 25 December 2020.

Born 27 Oct 1922, in Dwight, Livingston, Illinois, she was the 2nd of 8 children born to Lydia Mae Bergman and George Bert Reagan.

Growing up during The Great Depression she learned to make do, fix things up and was happy with what she had. She especially enjoyed playing with her brothers in their forts. As one of the oldest daughters, she took great care of her younger sisters, and they loved her for it.

She served in the United States Navy, as a Wave during WWII. As a Pharmacist’s Mate 3rd Class she cared for malaria and burn victims in Aiea Naval Hospital on the island of Oahu. She loved serving her country and has always been grateful for the opportunity to do so.

On 27 Oct 1947, she married Ralph E Provance in Mazon, Grundy, Illinois at the Mazon Methodist Church. They were happily married for 39 years and had two daughters born to this union.

Donna Nadine Preston, and Carolyn Jeanene (Mark) Nielsen, both of West Jordan, UT. Years later another daughter lovingly came to our home through adoption, Brenda Janine Johnston (Tennessee).

She worked in a munitions factory in the beginning of WWII, at Western Electric, was the secretary for the Grundy County Civil Defense Office, President of the Woman’s Civil Defense Auxiliary and influenced many young lives in her home daycare.

In 1966 she became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with her husband and daughters, but she truly was the pioneer of the family. She read the Book of Mormon to prove it wrong and in 3 days she completed it and knew it was true. She served the Lord faithfully in many positions in the Church including various teaching positions, counselors in presidencies, Home Seminary Teacher and Independence Missouri Stake Name Extraction Coordinator. In 1984 Nadine and Ralph went on a mission for the Church, serving in the South Salt Lake Dixie Cotton Mission. They were missionaries in St George giving tours at the St George Temple Visitor Center, the Brigham Young Winter Home, the St George Tabernacle, Historic Pine Valley Mountain Chapel, and the Jacob Hamblin Home. It was there that she learned to weave and spin.

She loved the Gospel and her family more than anything. She enjoyed traveling and camping in their motorhome, crafts of all kinds; especially crochet, tatting, bobbin lace, spinning and weaving. When arthritis, macular degeneration and hearing loss became her constant companions, she slowed down a little, but always enjoyed plants, animals and her family. Even though she could not see, she could crochet well into her 90s.

Surviving are her 3 daughters, 15 grandchildren, and 46 great grandchildren. Amy (Kris) Liesmann (Tyler, Brooklinn, Olivia, Brynlee), O’Fallon MO; Megan (Wade) Kellems (Ian, Grace, Mya, Madison, Kate), Henefer UT; Emily (Josh) Johnson (Jolee, Ryan), Grain Valley MO; Melissa (Camron) Bateman (Kaiser, Nolan, Evelyn), Herriman UT; Mikaela (Mike) Valentine (Peyton, Tori, Porter, Preston), Grain Valley MO; Amanda (Mark) Glover (Aniston, Seth, Dallin), Riverton UT; Josh (Andrew Shaw) Preston, Edwardsville IL; Ralph (Brooke) Nielsen (Riley, Zoey, Fynn, Gray, Lola), Riverton UT; Jesyca Hauer (Kayla, Ethan, Tate, Lyvia), Saratoga Springs UT; Desiray (Orange) Warner (Gabby, Kort, Natalie, Bristol, Adrik, Kholette), Rigby ID; Isaac (Julia) Nielsen (Sarah, Charlotte, Cecilia, Nicholas), Taylorsville UT; Tonya Kabris (Claudia), Brookings SD; Cathy (Darius) Garvin, Melbourne FL; Brianna (Shawn) Price (Lelynd, Kalyn, Adalyn), Greenwood MO; Michael (Veronica) Lyons (Levi, Matias), Provo UT. 2 sisters; Lydia Reen (Alan) Cathcart, South Jordan UT; and Glenda (Phil) Wieck, Paddock Lake WI.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Ralph, 3 brothers; Oris (Ruth) Reagan, Carey (Loraine) Reagan and Robert Reagan; 2 sisters; Marilyn (Phil) Hamilton and Jolie (Needles) Clark; and 2 grandchildren, Chanolyn and Jacob Nielsen.

She has given her family a rich heritage of love, the Gospel, love of country and love of God. She will be terribly missed. But our happiness comes in knowing she is with Dad again and her family. She is free from pain, being blind and deaf. We rejoice with her and look forward to the time when we can hug her and be with her once again.

Due to Covid Restrictions, a Private Funeral service was held on Friday, January 8, 2021 at 9:00 AM, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 8385 South 4800 West, West Jordan, Utah. The funeral service was recorded.  You can view the recording by clicking on the "Click here to access video" button below.  

Interment will be in Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, Missouri.

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