Bonnie Rae Sorensen Larson's Obituary
Our precious Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother Bonnie Rae Sorensen Larson passed away on Wednesday, January 3rd, 2024 after a battle with covid/pneumonia. She was surrounded by loved ones as we passed her along into our dad’s arms.
Bonnie Rae was Born May 20, 1939, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Arthur Henry Sorensen and Gladys Pearl Boam. She married Byron Edmund Larson on August 24, 1962, in the Manti Utah Temple. Together they had 6 children: Craig (Angie), Kevin (Cindy), Cherilyn, Kyle, Julie (Nick), Kirk (Heather).
She graduated from Olympus High School and Seminary in 1957 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She then graduated from Brigham Young University on June 2, 1961, with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She taught kindergarten at Sego Lily Elementary School in Lehi, Utah. Education was important to her; each of her children received a higher education degree.
Bonnie Rae was a wife and mother first and foremost, and devoted her life to her husband, children, and church. She raised a wonderful family of six children who were a big part of her life, along with her grandchildren. She taught them the gospel of Jesus Christ and to love and serve one another. She was affectionately known as Grandma Great, to the great grandkids, and she lived up to that title. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served in various capacities, often behind the scenes in meaningful quiet ways.
Bonnie Rae will be remembered spending time with children and grandchildren, working in the yard, enjoying fresh fruits and vegetables, cooking for her family, and baking hot rolls and cinnamon rolls for neighbors and friends. She was always interested in whatever her family members were doing. She took her children and grandchildren to plays often and out for dinners. For years she hosted a weekly Sunday dinner where the entire family gathered to eat and make memories. She had a special way of celebrating holidays including themed birthday cakes and holiday salutations on the phone. She loved children's books and wanted to instill a love of reading in her children and grandchildren. You could often find her cuddled up reading to them.
The family will always remember going to the drive-in movies, mom reading books aloud at bedtime, Sunday night grilled cheese, homemade hot chocolate, and a Disney movie on TV. Multiple family reunions at the BYU dorms and the California Beach, then later on our annual reunions at Bear Lake. She was at every event for her children, always giving them encouragement to do and finish hard things. Mom taught us the value of a dollar; use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.
She was devoted to the service of others, faithfully fulfilling church callings and selflessly putting the needs of others before her own. She lived a very Christ-like life and taught her children to value what matters most.
Many conversations ended with mom saying, “Love you more.”
Bonnie Rae loved and was loved by 17 grandchildren (Jacob, Matthew, Kayli, Alison, Brittany, Scott, Emily, Alex, Taylor, Kourtney, Luke, Cole, Riley, Ellie, Ryan, Jack, Anna) and 14 great grandchildren. She was supported and cheered on by her beloved sisters-in-law; Dolores Bage Larson and June Sorensen.
She is preceded in death by Byron Edmund Larson (husband), Arthur Lowell Sorensen (brother), and Matthew Craig Larson (grandson).
A viewing will be held from 6:00-8:00 pm on Friday, January 12th, and the funeral will be held on Saturday, January 13th at 11 am. There will be a short viewing prior to the Saturday services from 9:30-10:30 am. All events held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 6890 Whitmore Way, Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121.
Interment will be at Elysian Gardens, located at 1075 East 4580 South, Millcreek, Utah
In lieu of flowers:
● Seek out a forgotten friend
● Increase families togetherness
● Share more love
● Take an older person to lunch
● Remember special people in special ways on their special or very hard days
Funeral will be broadcast via Zoom link:
Whitmoreward.org
https://zoom.us/j/92331083154?pwd=TExUZ3VIczJ2SEZwLzRPMm1qZEd2dz09#success
What’s your fondest memory of Bonnie?
What’s a lesson you learned from Bonnie?
Share a story where Bonnie's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Bonnie you’ll never forget.
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