Leuna (Lena) Catharina Adams, passed away peacefully on October 24th, 2025 surrounded by her loving family after bravely confronting a recurrence of breast cancer and receiving care at the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah. She leaves to mourn her husband Chris, and her children Rachel (son-in-law Will), Gabriel, and Sarah.
Lena was born on December 14th, 1958 in Port Alberni on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada the daughter of Dutch immigrants Joost Neels and Maria Neels (née de Pooter).
Lena graduated nursing school from Vancouver General Hospital in 1980. She began her nursing career working in Edmonton, Alberta, where she also spent time working as a rural flight nurse. In 1987, she left Canada to work abroad in the ICU at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre in Saudi Arabia, where she began a life of travel and exploration visiting such places as Kenya, Türkiye, Nepal, Thailand, and more. It was during this time she met her future husband and lifelong adventure partner.
Lena married Christopher Adams on November 23rd, 1989 at First Evangelical Church in Bahrain. They enjoyed nearly 36 years of marriage and were blessed with three children: Rachel, Gabriel, and Sarah. The family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah in 2001 and quickly settled into life in picturesque Murray. Lena and Chris worked hard to share their love of travel with their family and many happy memories were made on trips abroad together.
Lena was an active and beloved member of Anchor Baptist Church for many years while living in Salt Lake City. No matter how busy she was, she always found ways to generously give of her time to her community by teaching Sunday school, organizing food and clothing drives, volunteering at the VA, and becoming a Court Appointed Child Advocate (CASA) for foster youth. Her selflessness and generosity knew no bounds, and her life was a reflection of her steadfast Christian faith. Lena touched the lives of those around her with her strength and resilience. Despite facing the challenges of her illness, she remained a beacon of hope and will be remembered for the love and light she brought into the lives of those who knew and loved her.
Remaining to cherish Lena’s memory are her husband, children, and nine siblings: John, Mattie, Mart, Wim, Pete, Joe, Mike, Jim, and Dave.
Preceding Lena in death are her beloved parents Joost and Maria Neels.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 5th at 10:30am at Anchor Baptist Church, 1880 East 5600 South, Holladay. Funeral services will follow at 11:00am, also at Anchor Baptist Church, with Pastor Jason Atwood ministering. Interment Mount Olivet Cemetery.
