Leola Nadine Jones, 88, a Life Fully Lived

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Leola Nadine Jones
February 9, 1938 – February 15, 2026

Leola Nadine Jones passed away in the early morning hours of Sunday February 15, 2026. Our beloved mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother (GIGI) had just recently celebrated her 88th birthday with most of her loved ones by her side.

Leola was born in Montana on February 9, 1938. She carried many fond memories of ice-skating on the lake, riding horseback to school, and growing up surrounded by Montana’s natural beauty.

After World War II, Leola’s family moved to Eureka, California where she attended local schools and graduated from Eureka High with the class of 1953. Leola went to Humboldt State University where she met the love of her life Henry Doyle Jones. They were married June 15, 1956 and began their life together. Leola and Henry built a loving family and raised four children, Kenneth, Joann, Alan and Richard.

Education was important to Leola. After the 1964 flood, she went back to school and worked in the medical field for 15 years. After her husband’s passing, she worked for the Department of Health and Human Services for over 20 years, where she met and maintained several lifelong friendships. Leola was a dedicated, hard worker. She

would deliver phone books door to door after hours to earn extra money for school clothes for her children every year.

Leola’s first passion was for her family. There were many years that she would work extra hard, doing back breaking work to provide school clothes to her children. She loved being a mother, grandmother and Gigi most of all. Leola had many hobbies. She loved quilting, gardening, making porcelain dolls, canning food and basket weaving.

One of Leola’s favorite past-times was traveling with her beloved friend Lenore. They traveled extensively for 10 years. One of her favorite trips was one they took to Canada. Oftentimes when they left together, none of us knew where they were headed until they returned home and filled us with stories of their travels. If Leola wasn’t traveling you would always find her at her grandchildren’s sporting events or enjoying the great outdoors.

Leola is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Leola had a strong testimony of the gospel and loved doing genealogy and talking about her heritage.

Leola had a special bond with her son in law Barton Garber. They spent a lot of time together traveling & playing cards and games. Bart welcomed Leola into his home after her house burned down with open arms.

Lenore Kotterman, Eddie and Cami Claros, Thouy and Heather Vonglakone, and Ryan Gleave were great friends that became family to her. Diane & Ken Williams, Sylvia & George Jutila and Weezy were all very dear to Leola’s heart.

Leola is survived by her daughter Joann Garber (Bart Garber), son Alan Jones, son Richard Jones (Deb Jones) Grandchildren Amber, Cami & Dustin Garber (Sarah Garber), Nykia Wilson (Rai Wilson), Carissia Andersen (Justin Andersen), Cailin Olsen (Andy Olsen), Kimberly Cessnun (Wes Cessnun), Scott Jones, Sabrina Jones, Rainy Rodriguez, Violet Jones, Trevor & Dylan Jones, Valentino Guffey, Eddie & Kenny Gaethle and Debbie Gaethle Hill.

Great Grandchildren Jocelyn Garber, Ana Guffey, Zach Bradfield, Levi, Ezekiel & Niko Garber, Jack & Josh Wilson, Jianna & Coyer Andersen, Adley Pedrotti & Emmit Olsen, Madyson, Kyndal, Lyndze, Jayden & Wyatt Cessnun & Aryanna Leal.

Leola is preceded in death by her husband Henry Doyle Jones, father Orville Lawrence Gaethle, mother Dora Ann Saxton, brother Dale K Gaethle, sister Maretta Gaethle, son Kenneth Dwayne Jones.

Service & Reception will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1444 Ross Hill Road, Fortuna, CA 95540 at 3 p.m. March 20, 2026. We will be honoring Leola’s memory by wearing all shades of purple which was her favorite color and serving her famous cheesecake!

Goble’s Fortuna Mortuary
560 12th Street, Fortuna CA