On August 25, my nephew was killed in a traffic accident.
He was 24 years old. He had just started his second year teaching middle school in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was writing a book about teaching. He was organizing a coat drive to support underprivileged youth in his school.
He was happy and social and loving and kind.
He was my sister’s first child. He was the first grandchild. He was the first nephew.
From his memorial website:
Jonah Hade Glenn Memorial Site
Remembering Jonah
This site was created in memory of Jonah Hade Glenn.
Adventurer, teacher, son, brother, uncle, and friend.Ames, Iowa
JONAH HADE GLENN
Jonah Hade Glenn, 24, passed away unexpectedly from injuries sustained in a traffic accident, August 25, 2021, in Salt Lake City Utah.Jonah was born February 6, 1997, in Ames, IA to Dave Glenn (Lisa), and Maggie Hade White (Noah). He graduated from Ames High in 2015, and in 2020 from Iowa State University with a degree in secondary history and social sciences education. He began his teaching career in the fall of 2020 as a seventh-grade social studies teacher at Midvale Middle School in Midvale, Utah. Although he had just begun his second school year at Midvale, he had already formed many deep relationships with both students and staff in the Midvale family. Throughout Jonah’s time in Ames, he worked various jobs to support his college education and next adventure, eventually finding a social network and second home at The Cafe, in Ames. In Salt Lake, he carried his love of live music, history, and great conversation to a second job where he moonlighted at The Hog Wallow Pub.
After spending the majority of his life in Ames and embarking on many adventures exploring both overseas and the U.S, Jonah truly found a home in Salt Lake City. He loved the adventures the landscape afforded there, and was happiest outdoors. He found the area a perfect playground for his many loves: exploring, skiing, mountain biking, hiking, climbing, camping and riding his motorcycle. He and his dog, Thorin, often explored together and they made friends wherever they went.
Jonah’s curiosity, passion for adventure, joy, and zest for life, and love of connecting with people were obvious. Everyone was a friend; he could find a near-instant connection with strangers. He genuinely cared for all who crossed his path and had a way of making people feel like they were the most important person he knew when around him, because to Jonah, at that moment, they were.
Jonah is survived by his father and stepmother Dave and Lisa Glenn, his mother and stepfather Maggie and Noah White, his sister Ella Glenn, brothers Leo and Keegan White, Theo Glenn and Stephen (Valerie) Paulos, a niece and nephew, Colt and Benelli Paulos, his grandparents George and Sandy Glenn, Jane and Roger Hade, Dave and Nancy White, and a number of aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents John and Marge Hepker.
Friends and family can call on Jonah’s family at Bethesda Lutheran Church (1517 Northwestern, Ames), Friday, September 3, from 1 to 3 pm with a short service at 3 pm. We will gather his favorite people, share memories, music, raise a glass, and celebrate Jonah in a space and time a bit more casual and fitting of what we think he’d like his send off to be at the CPMI Events Center (2321 North Loop Drive, Ames) Friday, September 3 from 4 to 7 pm. As Jonah would want: all are welcome and we hope you come to gather as you are.
Our family is overwhelmed, full of gratitude, and thankful for the kindness from the Midvale/Salt Lake and Ames communities, and everywhere else Jonah met friends. The generosity, prayers, and messages are overwhelming and we feel wrapped up and supported by your love. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you for the many contributions to Jonah’s memorial fund.
I wrote a couple poems in a dumb attempt to grasp some of the feelings I was having:
He was lovely. He was affecting and impactful. He was a sweet guy. He is profoundly missed.