Hilari Jan Kleine Jones

Hilari Jan Kleine Jones passed away on March 20, 2025, due to a massive brain bleed. She was born on July 24, 1971, at Cottonwood Hospital to Shauna Lee Knight Kleine and James Dallas Kleine III and grew up in the Sugarhouse area of Salt Lake City. Always an excellent student, Hilari graduated from Highland High, where she was the editor of the school newspaper. She later completed a B.A. in English from the University of Utah and an M.S. in Technical Writing from Utah State University. Her intelligence, organization, attention to detail, willingness to learn new skills, and hard work resulted in professional success, most recently as the Technical Product Director for Premier, Inc., a job which she absolutely loved for the work and the people that she was able to work with.

Hilari was introduced to Bryan William Jones by friends, leading to a 32 year relationship of being best friends.  They were looking forward to celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary together.  Of the countless components of a relationship, Hilari’s wit and wicked sense of humor helped through hard times and good, providing laughter and insight. Their relationship was based in love and respect for one another, and treating others with kindness.  Hilari and Bryan supported each other’s professional and extracurricular endeavors, and enjoyed every moment together they could, including Sunday walks through Salt Lake, hiking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing in the mountains surrounding the city.

Hilari loved cooking and she never met a vegetable that she did not like. Through her cooking, she took healthy, flavorful cooking to new levels. Her mise en place was incredible.  Hilari was also a skilled baker who made many favorite treats, including Easter cinnamon rolls, holiday “pinch cake.”, and the best cookies on the planet.  Her preparation of food to loved ones and strangers alike was her expression of love to a wider world.

Hilari was also incredibly creative. She played the piano, electric guitar, and bass. She practiced karate and yoga. She was an equestrian who volunteered helping kids with disabilities and veterans with PTSD spend time with horses, and learn the empowerment of working with those beautiful animals.  Hilari’s clever drawings and stories turned up on cards and notes over the years along with books she wrote and illustrated as gifts for family. She devised many craft projects that she worked on with her nephew, Finley, and these remain treasured works of art.

Hilari was an avid runner for as long as anyone can remember. Hilari had the grit and discipline of an Olympian. A favorite event was running the Winter Race Series with her siblings every year, including a 15 K that took place in heavy snow, with thunder and lightning. Hilari’s final day, which ended at the hospital, even started with a routine 5 mile run.

Hilari is survived by her husband, Bryan; mom, Shauna (Steve); dad, James (Kim); sister, Hollie (Greg); brother, Chris; nephew, Finley; cats, Alice and Ellie; and extended family.

We want to thank everyone at the University of Utah Medical Center’s Emergency and Neurocritical Care units for their helpful and compassionate efforts during an extremely difficult situation, as well as to all the wonderful friends and family that have reached out, offering contact, assistance and love.

Finally, we want everyone to know how generous Hilari was to people who had no idea it was her behind their gifts.  Hilari never wanted recognition or credit for these things.  She valued that giving as an intrinsic good to the communities and institutions around her. Hilari was also an organ donor whose gifts of life directly benefited four local people in Utah, as well as biomedical research through her final act of selflessness.

Hilari, we thank you for your life. The world was made a better place with you, and is a better place because of your presence and your efforts in it. We love you and will miss you, your partnership, and your friendship.

A celebration of life for Hilari will be held on Saturday April 19th from 4 pm to 6 pm at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 S 900 E, Salt Lake City. Guests are encouraged to use the parking and entrance on the north side of the building.