Bonnie Rudd

Bonnie Hansen Rudd, 86, was reunited with her loving husband on April 24, 2019. She was born on May 18, 1932 in Elwood, Utah to Daisy Emma Currell and Joseph Hansen. Bonnie graduated from Bear River High School in 1950. She later married her high school sweetheart, Ross Rudd on February 7, 1951 in the Logan LDS Temple.

Bonnie spent her early years in Elwood, Utah on the family farm. She worked alongside her brothers and sisters in the sugar beet fields, loved feeding the baby “bum” lambs, and swam in the canal for fun. Her father later purchased a ranch in Wells, Nevada, where she spent summers helping her mother and working with her father. The family eventually moved to Tremonton, Utah. There she met the love of her life, Ross Rudd, in high school.

In 1951, Bonnie and Ross married in the Logan LDS Temple. Ross then enlisted in the Air Force and served a short time. During his military service, he and Bonnie lived in Stephenville, Texas.

Bonnie and Ross made their home on the family farm in West Fielding, Utah. Bonnie was a very important part of the farm operation, providing meals for the hired hands and anyone Ross invited in for a meal or a treat. She was a devoted and loving mother and taught her children to work hard. She made sure that they had many opportunities to develop talents and excel. She made personal sacrifices so her children could have what they needed to succeed. She also faithfully cared for her widowed mother.

Bonnie worked hard to create a home that was a gathering place for all to come and feel loved and welcome. Everyone that visited was greeted with a warm smile and a freshly made treat. She was an excellent cook and well known in the community for her cinnamon rolls, homemade bread, cookies, and “temple cake”. She never missed taking a fresh loaf of bread and a bottle of homemade jam to the sick, those in need, and mothers of new babies. While not in the kitchen baking and cooking, she spent her time working in her beautiful yard and garden.

Bonnie’s greatest joy in life was seeing her children and grandchildren succeed. She truly lived to see a smile on their faces. She loved to be with family. She was a gracious host of monthly “cake nights” and planned fun-filled and memorable holiday celebrations and summer family reunions at Bear Lake and Tony Grove.

Bonnie was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She held many callings in the Relief Society and Primary organizations, including Relief Society President. She had a great love for the Primary children. She sang in the ward choir.  She loved visiting teaching her sisters and understood how to minister to those in need. She was an exemplary Bishop’s wife, serving with love for all. In her later years, she taught a temple preparation class with her sweetheart Ross. They prepared many people for temple ordinances, with “temple cake” and ice cream following each lesson.

Bonnie is survived by her children: Ronda (Martell) Menlove, David (Leslie) Rudd, Connie (Randy) Lewis, Mike (Gloria) Rudd, Kathleen (Sandra) Rudd, Joe (Rachell) Rudd; 27 grandchildren; 51 great grandchildren; sister Joyce Stokes, and sister-in-laws Sylvia Hansen and Joyce Gomez. Bonnie was preceded in death by her loving husband; parents; siblings: Vern, Dale, & Darwin; son-in-law, Bruce Evans; and great granddaughter, Kylee Emma McCammon.

The family would like to thank the sweet and kind caregivers at Bear River Valley Care Center, Pioneer Valley Lodge, Legacy, Maple Springs, and IHC Hospice.

Although we are saddened by mother’s passing, we are grateful that she is reunited with dad. They rarely spent much time apart since their first date. She had a great love for her Savior, family, and everyone else that she met. In the last note that she left she said, “All I ever wanted in this life was a good husband (whom I loved dearly), temple marriage, and a happy family, who all loved one another unconditionally. Thank you all for giving me a wonderful life.” This sums up her desires and achievements in life.

Funeral services for Bonnie will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2019 at 1 p.m. Viewings will be held on Friday evening, May 3, 2019 from 6-8 p.m. and at the church prior to the funeral service from 11:30- 12:30 p.m. All services will be held at the Belmont Ward Chapel (16925 N. 5200 W. Riverside, UT). Interment will be in the Plymouth, Utah Cemetery.