Whitni's Funeral

Whitni's funeral was yesterday.....it was a tearjerker for me. A group of friends was able to sing the opening song, "I need Thee Every Hour." I was pretty sure I'd cry through most of it, and I was right. I made the mistake of looking down at Jared and Laurie (Whitni's husband and mom) right before and I couldn't sing until the last verse, and even then it was on and off. Luckily everyone else could and did beautifully!! Her sweet husband Jared, and his parents, all of her brothers and her parents all spoke of memories of Whitni. We were laughing and crying throughout the rest of the program. The hardest part for me was when they played a slideshow of Whitni's life and her mother read her testimony in the background. It took all of my strength to not start weeping aloud. Luckily, I kept my sobs to a minimum noise level. It really was a beautiful service in honor of a beautiful woman!

Here is some of the amazing display of her life. She really did accomplish so much in her 30 short years.

Here's to you Whit! Diet Coke all around!

Here is a group of us with Whit at the cemetery.

It was especially hard for me to watch Jared during and after the services.

I could see the emotions in him and I remember feeling most of them,

it is really indescribable pain to lose a spouse so young.

Here are the pallbearers. It was one amazing group of men....her

husband, father, brothers, and friends.

I looked awful by this point.... lots of tears will do that to you. Anyway, we gave Whitni Red roses, because when we were in High School we took the color personality test and Whitni was a solid Red. She was labeled the 'red' of the group from then on. We love you Whitni! We will truly miss you but we hope your legacy of love will live on through us!

Working on the casket

A few months ago Whitni had asked Ben if he would be willing to build her casket. She just wanted something simple. Ben had agreed and we put it in the back of our minds...hoping we wouldn't have to work on it for a loooong time. About three weeks ago now, Whitni called and said she thought it was time to start working on the casket. So, of course we put it off until last Friday night. We weren't sure about the interior. Originally, Whitni had said she and her mom could work on it.... well, as the days went on we knew that wasn't an option...so we called the girls together and decided we could do it ourselves. It turned out being a very worthwhile and therapeutic process for us all!

L to R Andee, Ben, Jill, Jared (Whitni's husband), Kate, Kandice and Dave.

It just isn't the same without her.

Andee showing off the inside...looks simple and soft and cozy for Whitters' final resting place.

We were so glad Jared was able to come and help!

Whit passed on Sunday evening and we finished up all day Monday.

Jared was there to give his approval and input.

I think Whitni would have loved it!

Jared and Ben securing the interior.

Jill, Andee, Jared, and Allie..... Jared always slips in the funny faces when you least expect it.

Good ironing Allie!

Andee, Jared, and Jill. Soooo very glad we can all bring our different experiences together and support eachother...through anything! I truly am so very blessed with amazing friends. We've all been through so much during and since High School. We have always stood by each other when one was going through the challenges. I couldn't ask for better friends!

Here is Ben finishing the inside of the casket.

Put the super industrial-strength hot glue gun down Andee!

That face scares me.

We were so blessed to be a part of this experience. We are deeply saddened by the loss

of our dear friend, Whitni. Here is a poem a friend shared, that I loved.

I am standing on the seashore, a ship spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and states for the ocean. I stand watching her until she fades on the horizon and someone at my side says, she is gone. Gone where? The loss of sight is in me, not in her. Just at that moment when someone says 'she is gone' there are others who are watching her coming. Other voices take up the glad shout, 'Here she comes' and that is dying
Henry Scott Holland

I am so thankful to know that our loved ones who have passed before us were there to greet Whitni! One of her concerns was that she wouldn't know anyone when she passed. Nobody really close to her has died. We reminded her of Charlton, and her baby that was miscarried. I know they were both there to greet her and welcome her back to her heavenly home! I'm know the Lord will tell her, "Well Done thou good and faithful servant." She was an example of goodness to the end! We love you Whitni!!

Whitni's Obituary

After her battle with cancer, Whitni Nisson Reese passed away on September 4, 2011. Whitni was born June 11, 1981, in St. George, Utah, to Bruce and Laurie Christensen Nisson. She was the only daughter among 5 brothers.

Whitni enjoyed her childhood growing up in Washington, Utah. She attended Washington Elementary, Pine View Middle School and graduated from Pine View High School. Whitni excelled academically and musically during those years. It was also during this time when she started to establish a group of friends who remain close even to this day. She also gained a strong testimony of the gospel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Whitni went on to graduate from Dixie State College and attend massage therapy school, becoming a nationally certified Massage Therapist. She then served in the Zurich, Switzerland Mission where she learned to speak the German language fluently. Upon her return, she delayed her schooling to assist her brother, Blake, in his rehabilitation after a serious accident. This experience helped to direct her interests toward physical therapy and she pursued this career at BYU. However, she became more interested in nutrition and as a result attended Utah State University to complete her B.S. Degree, graduating Summa Cum Laude, in Food and Nutrition, becoming a Certified Registered Dietitian

Shortly after graduation, Whitni married Jared R. Reese on May 16, 2009, in the St. George LDS Temple. Jared’s employment took them to Roswell, NM, where Whitni became employed at Eastern New Mexico Medical Center as a Registered Dietician. During this time Whitni enriched the lives of many by serving as a Ward Missionary and early morning Seminary Teacher for her church.

Whitni loved to learn, travel and serve in the Church. She had a great appreciation of the Gospel, life, family, friends, music, nutrition and science.

Whitni is survived by her spouse, Jared R. Reese of Roswell, NM; father, and mother, Bruce B. and Laurie Nisson; brothers, Neils Nisson (Holly), Nickolas Nisson, Kael Nisson, Blake Nisson (Missionary in Washington D.C. North) and Breyden “Gump” Nisson, all of Washington, UT.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at the Washington Stake Center, 446 Mangum Rd., Washington, UT. Whitni elected not to have a viewing, but an open house will be held on Friday, September 9, 2011, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the same location. Interment will take place in the Washington City Cemetery.

The family requests in lieu of flowers that monetary remembrances be made at any Mountain America Credit Union under Whitni Nisson Reese.

Whitni and family wish to thank Dr. Derrick Haslem and staff, Dr. Edgard Badine and staff, and Southern Utah Hospice for their special care and concern during her illness.

Whitness the Greatness

The world stood still for a moment Sunday evening on September 4, 2011, as one of my dearest friends Whitni Brooke Nisson Reese took her last breath in this life. She lost her courageous fight with a rare and aggressive form of ovarian cancer. I will never be able to explain or express the footprints she left in my life. What an awesome girl! I met Whitni In Kindergarten.....25 years ago. Our dads both worked at Post Offices....we were destined to be friends. She always said she pretended to like MacGyver...(but really had no clue who he even was) ...because I was obsessed with him when we were young and she wanted to be cool like me. I had her fooled! I was a total nerd!

We have so many wonderful memories with her! She came to the island of St. Maarten when we were living there for a couple of weeks. We loved and laughed almost every minute!

She came to 'Le Chalet...an authentic fondu restaurant on the island....we had to go there because she had served her mission in Switzerland and it reminded her of that time.

Whitni told us this very day (in the pic above) that they had found a mass and they were checking it for cancer. It seemed so unrealistic that we didn't really worry at that point.

A few short weeks later she had started chemo aggressively and soon lost her hair, but she was still one of the most beautiful girls I will ever know. While she was still feeling well enough, we tried to do as many things as we could. She wanted a trip to pine valley...like the old days...so we made it happen. We sat on the porch swing/hammock and talked about how life is so unpredictable. We took a fishing trip to the reservoir....just loving each moment we had with her.

We were able to go fishing at Lake Powell for a day....no fish were caught, but we were with Whitni...and called it a successful day.

Had PJ parties and got pedicures.....still just talking and laughing, and crying about life.

She always helped us keep things in perspective...even before her fight with cancer began.

There was an awesome benefit concert set up in her behalf. Wouldn't have missed it for the world!! Below we are with the performer...Jessie Funk...what an awesome lady!

We had a VERY special night with Hillary Weeks.... what a beautiful woman with so much talent and spirit to share!!

I was so thankful to spend some of Whitni's last few days on this earth with her. On Thursday, last week, she only had one request...she wanted to get outside and see the sun. Katie, Andee and I with the help of another dear family friend Karen. Got her in the wheelchair and out of the house and pushed her around the church next to her home. It was her last time outside. I wouldn't have missed it for the world! I saw my friends in the most celestial light possible those last few days and hours as we worked together to take care of sweet Whitni, rubbing her feet and arms and head, holding her hand, giving her a pedicure, laughing at old times and lots of crying. Whitni was sharp clear up to the end, even though she could barely speak, she was still taking control of the situation and making sure everyone was getting the job done. She went peacefully Sunday night. Jared was with us working on the casket at my parents house when the call came for him to come home...she was ready to 'go home.' He called us shortly after and invited us over to tell her out last goodbye's. She looked so peaceful and calm compared to the days and hours prior. We were so blessed to be a part of this wonderful experience. Whitni, you are deeply missed and I would say rest in peace, but I know it drives you crazy to sit still....I'm sure you are ecstatic to not have your cancerfilled body to slow you down. Go get em up there in heaven! Can't wait to see you again! Tell Charlton I say hello and now I'm expecting you both to watch out for my family!! (After you focus on Jared and your family of course :) Love you Whitters!!!

Baby Cody is on the way!!

Well, the pants are getting tighter and the stomach continues to churn...oh and I'm ALWAYS hungry.... I'm 18 weeks pregnant and super excited to finally get our little boy! I've been wanting to blog and document this for a long time so I'm sure I'm going to forget many things I wanted to share. Anyway, Ben and I were very nervous and scared to have another child join our family. I'd always felt there was another kid in our future...however, after having Kimber diagnosed with the genetic disease of Cystic Fibrosis...we were more hesitant. We wouldn't trade Kimber for the world and we cherish every moment we have with her. However, the disease is a very expensive and exhausting one to maintain health. I know of families who have two and even three kids with CF and I didn't know if I would be emotionally and physically strong enough to handle it. Anyway, we had somewhat convinced ourselves that we were done with our two girls. One day when we were talking about it, we went to the temple and decided to do some thinking and praying about the situation. Both Ben and I had the impression we had another baby that we needed to join our family. It was a terrifying feeling, but we both felt good and knew it was the right thing to do. After we found out we were expecting, we were still terrified. We had the amniocentesis as soon as we could and got the results last week that our little one is a BOY and that he does not have CF, but he is a carrier of the gene. We were so grateful. We are still awaiting some other results from the amnio...but we are so thankful things are looking good. I am due February 6th and we are planning on naming him Cody. We don't have a middle name for sure picked yet, we have some options, but that will come soon. We feel very blessed and the girls are super excited to have a baby brother!!!

Kimber's first day of Pre-School

She could hardly sleep the night before the first day of Crazy Grandma's Pre-school. She is totally jealous that Holdyn gets to go to the 'BIG school' and ride the bus. Kimber also loves to be involved with Holdyn's homework....it is actually kind of annoying how smart this girl is and how she can remember details from long ago.

Kimber wanted to color a picture for her 'teacher' on the first day. She was also thrilled to be the one to take snacks...she chose pudding. She is such a fun gal to have around.....she is always hugging my tummy and talking to 'baby Cody' She is going to be a great and bossy big sister :)

She loves going to school and can't stand that she only gets to go 2 days a week!

We love you little Kimber :)