January 2022...

Sunday, January 2nd, found Claude packing his suitcase. He was to fly out Monday to Utah. We received a telephone call in the early evening from Cordell, Claude's brother, telling him that Bonnie just passed away. Claude really wanted to be with her before she passed. Timing just didn't work out. We were very grateful she came to visit in August 2021. During that visit we took her to see all her grand, great grand, and great great grandchildren. We had a good time with her going through picture albums. This visit made not seeing her before her death a little easier to deal with. 

Monday, January 3rd, Claude flew to Utah to be with his family. He changed his return flight and extended his hotel stay to be there for the funeral. I posted this to Facebook, " I have one sweet Mother-in-law who passed away last night. Over the past few years, I tried getting one-on-one pictures of Bonnie with each of her grand, great grand, and great great grandchildren. Our family loves Bonnie. Her presence will be greatly missed but her loving influence will be with us always. Bonnie Belle Jones Christensen we love you!"

The pictures in their order are Bonnie with Claude. Then Nissa followed by her children & their children, Katelyn, Raelyn, Emelia, Joel, Paul, Aubrey, and Nelson. Andie followed by her children Hayden and Bailey. Finally, our youngest, Jacob.

Claude wrote Bonnie's Obituary. This is what was posted on the Rudd Funeral Home webpage:

Bonnie Belle (Jones) Christensen

June 5, 1929 ~ January 2, 2022 (age 92)

A LIFE WELL LIVED…

Bonnie Belle Jones Christensen, (92), passed away quietly at her home in Thatcher on January 2, 2022.  She was born in Salt Lake City on June 5th, 1929 to Joseph Pearl Jones and Almeda Gunnell Jones.  She married her Eternal Companion, Evan Cleon Christensen on June 14th, 1946 in the Logan Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  She was preceded in death by Evan in 2001.

Bonnie is survived by her family of six children; JoAnn Christensen Johnson (John); Claude Jay Christensen (Sandra); Tamara Christensen Myers (Bill); Evan Cordell Christensen (Julie, deceased); Lynette Christensen Drysdale (Rick); and, Kayla Christensen McCoombs (Chris).  She was also blessed to know and love 13 Grandchildren; 21 Great-Grandchildren; and 6 Great-Great Grandchildren.  All of whom will miss Gramma Bonnie and her bright spirit greatly.

Bonnie lived and worked on her family’s farm in Howell until she met and married Evan.  The story goes that he “won her in a horse race.”  Together they raised a strong family, living and working in Faust Valley and Thatcher.  Both later worked at Morton-Thiokol and eventually retired from there together.  She continued to serve in the community until her death, serving as a member and local leader in the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, and as a Volunteer at the Bear River Valley Hospital.

Bonnie led an active life in church service, serving in various leadership, music, and youth assignments.  She, along with Evan served 3 missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  The first a proselyting mission in the New Mexico – Albuquerque Mission followed by two local service missions.

In between church and community service she and Evan caught the traveling bug and toured a number of countries around the world including Israel, England, Africa, and the Middle East to name just a few.  They also visited much of North America, including Canada, Mexico, Hawaii, and the Caribbean.

That about covers the “fill in the blank” part for our beloved Mother.  What remains is the story of a long life well lived.  She was, and is, beloved of her family, and has friends everywhere.  She was never one to complain or speak ill of others or carry harsh feelings forward.  To her family she will always be remembered as “The Soup Lady” and “The Ever-ready Bonnie.”  Her smile and happy countenance was captivating and welcome to all who knew her.

She was unique as a woman and a daughter of God and she did her best to live her life according to His plan.  So, while we will miss her for a time in our family associations, we’ll move forward with the knowledge that, while our association is interrupted, the love we feel for her and our warm memories of our dear mother are not, and will continue forever.  It is good to know that, and that heaven is a little brighter place today than it was last week.

Viewings will be held on Friday January 7, 2022 at Rogers and Taylor Funeral Home (111 N 100 E Tremonton, UT) from 5-7 pm and on Saturday January 8, 2022 at the Thatcher/Penrose Church (11475 W 10400 N Thatcher, UT) from 9:30-10:30 am with the funeral to follow at 11:00 am.  The service will be livestreamed and may be accessed below.

With a little finagling, I was able to fly out on Friday, January 7th, to be there with Claude for the funeral. I was there in time to go to Rudd Funeral Home and verify Bonnie was dressed and looked well for her burial. The viewing area was set with things about Bonnie. Here are picture from the viewing on Friday evening. The final picture is all of Bonnie's children: Back Row - Cordell & Claude, Front Row - Tami, Joann, Kayla & Lynette. 

The funeral would be Saturday, January 8th, at the church in Thatcher. First a viewing was held in the Relief Society room prior to the service. Someone took this sweet picture of Claude and me by Bonnie's casket before it was closed.

The service followed in the chapel. This is the program and the eulogy that was read by Claude at the funeral. It was a beautiful service. The music was perfect. The words spoken were also perfect. 

Then we all left the church and went to the cemetery for the burial. 

After the burial, we all went back to the church for a wonderful family meal. 

Back home in Kentucky, Andie and Jacob did some things to remember Bonnie and Utah. They put a bottle of Pepsi on the table on our patio and then colored Easter eggs and rolled them down our little hill like would have been done at the ranch on a much larger hill.

Claude and I were able to match up our return home flights and even seating beside each other. We retuned home in the middle of the night Sunday into Monday. 

Thursday, January 13th, found Claude, Jake and me doing a compassionate service adventure. We drove to the Louisville Stake Center and picked up an order of groceries for a lady at church. Then we drove back to Lexington to deliver it to her high-rise senior living center. After we were inside, she informed us the place was rampant with Covid-19. UGH!!

Friday, January 14th, was Nissa and Todd Tyler's anniversary.

My Facebook post to our family Facebook page for Monday, January 17th, indicates the struggle of caring for my father. It read, "Today is the first day Papa had no clue who I was. I looked him right in the eye and called him Papa. I asked him who I was. He said he didn't know. Then I assured him I was Sandi, his oldest daughter. He put out him hand to shake hands with me. Sometimes, life is hard."

Saturday, January 22nd, Raelyn turned six years old. I posted this on Facebook, "This confident little Princess turns 6 years old today! Happy Birthday to Raelyn, our first-born great grandmonster!! Love Ya Bunches!!"

Thursday, January 27th, we were in LaGrange for the KMEA Convention Preview Concert. Oldham County High School was invited to perform for the convention all the music educators in Kentucky. It is a great honor. To prepare, Mr. Centers, the band teacher, had the orchestra perform for their parents the pieces they would do for the music educators. Hayden was in the orchestra. Hayden is fourth from the right and plays a euphonium. 

Friday, January 29th, I attempted to bake homemade whole wheat bread. It is very, very, very heavy. Totally out of practice on that. But it was fun to try again.

Here are a few pictures of our great grandson, Joel. He was enjoying his stuffed elephant and learning to eat sitting in a high chair by himself. He is a cute little guy!