Tanya Jolley Chojnacky

ALBION – Tanya Jolley Chojnacky passed away peacefully after a hard and courageous battle with Dementia/Alzheimer’s at Irondale Post Acute facility in Commerce City, Colorado, with her family by her side on Thursday, February 29, 2024. She was 68 years old.

Tanya was born December 23, 1955, in Burley, Idaho, at the Cottage Hospital, the daughter of Marijane Clay Jolley and Henry Lee Jolley. Dad said that the minute she looked up at him he was smitten, and his heart just melted. Tanya grew up in Albion and graduated from Declo High School in 1974. She then attended Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho.

She married Brent Jones of Almo, Idaho, and they made their home in Almo where they farmed and ranched together with Brent’s family. She loved all animals, and this showed when she taught their pet pig, Wilbur, how to dance and she would say, “He has his dancing pants on,” a phrase she continued to say many other times in her life. Brent and Tanya later divorced but always stayed friends.

Tanya worked for the Raft River Geothermal Project. There, she met Bill Chojnacky. They fell in love and were married. Tanya and Bill’s marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. Their union was blessed with two sons, Lee and Logan. Tanya’s biggest accomplishment was her family. The welfare of Bill, Lee and Logan was constantly on her mind. She wanted grandchildren but sadly the disease took over and she has not been able to enjoy little Vincent Cole.

Tanya and her family have lived in Idaho, Maine, California, Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado. Tanya worked for several years at SkyWest Airlines and her love of traveling was enriched from this experience. On multiple occasions she was able to take her family with her. She managed the Twin Falls, Idaho, Abilene, Texas, and Durango, Colorado, airports.

Tanya loved all animals, especially dogs and horses. Her favorite horse was “Jolley Toad.” She and Jolley Toad were active in 4-H horse shows, high school rodeo and college rodeo. Tanya was the Cassia County Fair Queen and represented the county at the Miss Rodeo Idaho pageant the year Evil Knievel attempted to jump the Snake River Canyon. While attending Ricks College, Tanya won the rodeo queen contest and represented Ricks at the College National Finals in Bozeman, Montana, where she finished as first runner-up.

She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and enjoyed serving in its different organizations.

Tanya never met a stranger; when introduced she would joyfully exclaim, “Hi honey, how the heck are you?” Tanya had a positive outlook and took life in stride, even in times of trial. She was always up for an adventure. She was silly, quirky, kind, and caring. She was a warrior right up to the end and we are all proud of her fight. She will be missed by all those who loved and cared for her.

She is survived by her husband, William (Bill) Chojnacky; sons, Lee Chojnacky and Logan (Cally) Chojnacky; one grandson, Vincent Cole Chojnacky; her mother, Marijane Clay Jolley; and sisters, Julianne Jolley Richins (Greg) and Dalana Jolley Van Buren (Eldon).

She was preceded in death by her father, Henry Lee Jolley.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the Irondale Post Acute facility staff in Commerce City, Colorado, for their loving care and dedication.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 11, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 889 Main St., in Albion, where family and friends will be received from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Officiating will be Bishop Mike Gailey. Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Albion.

A live webcast of the Funeral Service will be available and maintained at the following link: https://youtu.be/IZHg7J8pR_A.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Irondale Post Acute, the Alzheimer’s Association, Albion Senior Citizen’s Center, or the Albion Library in memory of Tanya Jolley Chojnacky.

Funeral Directors: Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home of Burley.