Bonny Lee Keil's Obituary
Bonny Lee Keil (born Duncan) was born June 8, 1958, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Arlen Verl Duncan, Sr. and Joan Ethel Jean Winn. She graduated from Olympus High School and began attending the University of Utah prior to serving full-time in the Germany Düsseldorf Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Bonny met her future husband, Ryan Michael Keil, on December 7, 1983, at an Institute class. They went on their first date three days later. On December 7, 1984, the anniversary of their first meeting, Bonny and Ryan were married and sealed for time and all eternity in the Jordan River Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Bonny and Ryan lived for a time in Texas, in Japan, and in New Mexico, as well as in her birth state, Utah. Bonny is the mother of three: Sean Michael, T’shara Marie, and Duncan Rhyn Keil.
Bonny loved art! She made beautiful quilts and blankets, which she freely gave away. Later, Bonny was accomplished in painting, illustrating, drawing; and also engaged avidly in bookbinding and bookbuilding, sculpture, ceramics, glass slumping, glass etching, wood marquetry, and more. While living in New Mexico due to Ryan’s employment, Bonny attended San Juan College (Farmington, New Mexico), where she took painting classes to occupy her time and answer her love of art. She felt blessed to take a number of college classes alongside her children. Bonny received an Associate of Arts degree in Fine Arts from San Juan College, and was then invited to become adjunct faculty, teaching art.
One morning Bonny and Ryan both felt inspired to return to Utah so that Bonny could finish her higher education. Bonny received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Utah in 2017 – some 40 years after she embarked on her education. Bonny continued to teach as adjunct faculty at San Juan College. Not only did she find great pleasure in producing more traditional arts, she also loved giving joy to children by face painting at parties and events.
Bonny received a number of honors and accolades in life; however, her greatest accomplishments were to be found in her family and in her service to people wherever she met them. Bonny taught her children to live compassionately and considerately, looking to the Savior for guidance on how to live. Her loving promptings inspired her husband to be a better man and servant of the Lord. She had an infectious smile, and freely engaged people in uplifting conversation at any time and in any place. Bonny enjoyed attending her regular church meetings, and especially loved attending the temple. In her daily life, she exemplified the Savior’s commandment to love and serve others. This life outlook was set against a background of ever-increasing pain and physical challenges over the past two decades, and comes in no small part from the example set by Bonny’s father, Arlen. On December 9, 2021, after a short illness, Bonny was called home to continue her mission of service on the other side of the veil. While she will be greatly missed, we find comfort in the knowledge of the eternal nature of man and, in particular, the eternal nature of our family. We anticipate joyfully reuniting with Bonny at a future time.
Bonny is survived by her husband, Ryan, and her children, Sean (Natalie), T’shara, and Duncan, her grandchildren, Tiberias and Pyrrha; and by her parents, Arlen and Joan; and her siblings, Cynthia, Marilyn, Arlen (Cindy), Samuel (Tena), Aaron (Kathy), Johnathan, Kenneth (Tristin), Stephen (Allison); and by numerous nieces and nephews.
Services for Bonny to be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Winder 11th Ward, at 951 East 3825 South, Millcreek, Utah, 84106
Viewing: 10:00 AM
Funeral Services: 11:00 AM. For those unable to attend in person, a Zoom meeting is scheduled: Please go to https://zoom.us/j/94384227250?pwd=b2dqRzlYaFpNSFF4Y2Y0OXcvT3pKQT09 Meeting ID: 943 8422 7250 and Passcode: 253356 (If you are typing the link, note that “l” in the link (at “RzlYa”) is a lower-case letter “el”).
Followed by interment at Elysian Burial Gardens, 1075 East 4580 South, Millcreek, Utah 84106 (please enter through the south entrance).
To assist with funeral and related expenses, please visit https://gofund.me/b459c0c8 OR https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-bonny-keil.
Online condolences can be left for the family at www.premierfuneral.com
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