Marcia Jane Powell Eddins, 81, of Afton, Wyoming, passed away on July 17, 2014, in Afton, Wyoming. Jane was born on March 20, 1933, in Fremont, Nebraska, to Marion Lee and Mildred Reeder Powell, the second of three daughters. She spent her growing up years in Fremont and Lincoln, Nebraska. Jane was happy and enthusiastic from the beginning of her life and led a fun and adventurous childhood filled with family, friends and fun. She loved school, playing the piano, being in plays and performances, Girl Scouts, and exploring the outdoors with her sisters. She also began visiting and loving her elderly neighbors - a pattern she would follow throughout her life.

When Jane was 16-years-old, her family moved to Ogden, Utah, to care for her aging grandmother. She graduated from Weber High School and Weber State College in Ogden, Utah. She went on to attend Utah State University in Logan, Utah. At Utah State, she joined Chi Omega Sorority, worked for the History Department as a typist, and the Music Department as an accompanist. By this time, Jane was an accomplished pianist, and even though her chosen major was Accounting, she spent enough time in music classes to be a piano performance and pedagogy major as well. She graduated in 1955 with an Accounting Major and Political Science Minor, the only female to graduate that year with a degree in Accounting.

The greatest event that happened to Jane at Utah State was that she met and fell in love with Boyd Eddins. Who could pass up dates that included moonlight airplane rides, fishing through the ice under the magnificent Tetons, cutter races, and a Nat King Cole concert? Boyd swept Jane off her feet and they were married on June 6, 1955, in the Logan Temple, two days after their graduation from Utah State.

Boyd and Jane spent their first summer of marriage working with Boyd's parents for the Forest Service at Middle Piney Lake. It was a big summer-long campout and it suited Jane's love of the outdoors and adventure perfectly. Jane and Boyd lived in Houston and Abilene, Texas, while Boyd served in the Air Force. Their first son, Mark, was born in Abilene. At the end of Boyd's active duty in the Air Force, they returned to Afton where they added three more children to their family: Becky, John, and Jim. Jane kept busy with her family, church and community activities, and teaching piano lessons. Boyd and Jane made their home at the Flying E Ranch in Smoot, Wyoming, for many years - the perfect place for raising a family and satisfying Jane's love of the outdoors.

To help make their love of ranching possible, Jane earned a second degree in Elementary Education from Weber State College and started her teaching career as a first grade teacher at Afton Elementary. This was the beginning of a long and loved career - Jane was a master teacher of children and an expert mentor for her colleagues. Her career working for Lincoln County School District #2 spanned the years 1970 through 1993. She was a first grade teacher from 1970-1976; served as Elementary Coordinator from 1976-1980; was principal of the newly constructed Osmond Elementary School and Elementary coordinator from 1980-1983; and was District Coordinator for Kindergarten through 12th Grade from 1983-1993. With the help of her family she attended USU the summers of 1974 through1976 and earned a Masters Degree in Elementary Education. In the summer of 1977, she attended the University of Wyoming to earn a school administration credential. Jane retired in 1993 at age 60. Her influence is still felt throughout Lincoln County School District #2.

After her retirement, Jane and Boyd filled their lives with fishing, flying, and ranching. Jane scored some big "catches" and could tell "fish stories" with the best of fishermen! They sold their beloved ranch and moved to Afton in 2000 and began managing a smaller "ranching" project in town. Jane enjoyed a beautiful home in Afton, quiet times at the "Meadow" and trips to the "fishing cabin" at Flaming Gorge. Boyd is Jane's partner, best friend, and devoted husband of 59 years. Their example of being a loving and dedicated married couple will be a lasting legacy for their family and friends. Jane truly knew how to enjoy every minute of life, and when she was with Boyd, everything was better and more exciting.

Jane loved her family with all her heart. She was the happiest spending time with Boyd and her children and grandchildren. She cherished every phone call, email, visit, and would often sit up late playing games and laughing with her children and grandchildren. She was a perfect exemplar of a wife, mother, grandmother. Her influence and legacy will be cherished by her husband, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

She was a life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is deeply committed to the church and her beliefs. She spent much of her life studying and reading, deepening her knowledge of the gospel, sharing her testimony with her family and friends, and living a life filled with charity and service.

Jane was preceded in death by her father and mother, and older sister, Darlene Powell Blair. She is survived by her husband, Boyd, her younger sister, Sally Powell Applegarth, children Mark, Becky (David), John (Trisha) and Jim (Sandi), six grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.

Jane's life was filled with giving. Friends, family, even strangers have been touched by Jane's marvelous life of service and giving. To honor Jane's memory, we are certain she would want all of us to "pay it forward." In lieu of flowers, please find a way to follow Jane's example: read a book to a child, visit the care center, help someone in need, be a friend to those around you, share your talents, or do a good deed. Do what Jane did every day.

Funeral services will be held at the Afton 4th Ward LDS Church, 165 East 5th Avenue, on Tuesday, July 22, 2014, at 12:00 pm.