SARA M. BORG ~~~ MT. PLEASANT'S FIRST BABY

 

 

 

 

Bonnie Jo Simons

October 29, 1934 — October 30, 2023

St. George/Mt. Pleasant

Bonnie Jo Simons, 89 of St. George, Utah, passed away October 30, 2023 in Mt. Pleasant, UT.  Born October 29, 1934 to John Laritz & Sarah Myrle Casper Jacobson in Park City, Utah. Married Orval Frances Simons December 16, 1955 in the Salt Lake Temple.  

Bonnie was a Kind generous person.   She made friends wherever she went.   Bonnie was a life long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.   She loved the time she spent serving in the Manti and St. George Temples. 

She loved to sew and always had a quilt on the frames to tie.   She belonged to the Laicos Club for over 40 years.   She had many jobs over the years but her greatest joy came from serving her friends and family. After Orval passed away Bonnie moved to St. George and made so many new friends that became her family.   They loved getting together to ride 4 wheelers in the desert, playing cards and just laughing and having fun.   She was a loving and kind neighbor and friend and will be missed by many.

Bonnie is survived by her two children, Clair (Julie) Simons,  Karen Harris; 4 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband Orval; siblings, Hal Jacobson, Dee Jacobson, Max Jacobson; grandsons Justin Simons and Branden Aiken. 

Funeral services will be held Monday, November 6, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. in the Mt. Pleasant 3rd Ward Chapel (295 S. State St.), with a viewing from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to services at the church. Interment in the Mt. Pleasant City Cemetery.

To Watch Recorded Funeral Service Click Here.

 

 

Linda Leavitt

November 14, 1942 — October 31, 2024

Mt. Pleasant

Linda Swensen Leavitt was born November 14, 1942 in Ontario, Oregon. She passed away in her home in Ephraim, Utah on October 31, 2024 with her adoring husband and faithful daughters by her side.

 

Linda was a war baby, born as the first child to Max and Lucie Swensen in the wake of Pearl Harbor. Her father served faithfully as a Navy weatherman during World War II while his new bride raised their beautiful little girl. Six more children would follow and Linda worked hard through her youth to help her parents and younger siblings. She was a cherished daughter and a wonderful sister.

 

By the time she was 12 years old she was six feet tall. We can only guess that this was necessary to house all that ambition, energy, drive, passion and talent. She was a whirlwind and moved through life with an incredible flourish of speed, imagination and vision.

 

Two weeks out of high school, at age 17, she married the handsome Keith Alonzo Leavitt in the Logan, Utah LDS temple. His life centered around her. He was completely devoted to caring for her, supporting her and helping her shine in her projects and pursuits. Together they welcomed 8 children, 2 boys and 6 girls.

 

Her life revolved around her beautiful children that she “loved to pieces.” She especially excelled as a grandma, welcoming newborns, holding sleepovers, cousin parties, celebrating birthdays, baptisms, holidays and having tea parties in her little village of 3 playhouses.

 

Linda was immensely gifted. She was an accomplished seamstress, an artist, and a gardener. She loved reading and learning. A force to be reckoned with in the kitchen, she could cook a meal big enough to feed an army or can hundreds of quarts of garden produce. Mass production at high speed was her specialty.

 

Two main themes of her life were her love and devotion for her Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ and also her joy and delight in nurturing and serving her family. She had a pure mother's heart. She was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and truly wore out her life in service.

 

She worked endlessly serving in the church. She held many callings over the years. Perhaps her favorite was the Humanitarian Service mission with her husband. She used her sewing talents to make hundreds of blankets, clothes for children, dolls and toys, infant burial gowns, and many other things that were sent around the world. She was an organizer and a manager who got things done. She loved temple and family history work, spending hundreds of hours researching family names, indexing and serving in the temple. She has left a priceless legacy that will span through the generations.

 

She is survived by her husband, Keith, 5 siblings and spouses, 8 children and spouses, 29 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.

 

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 30, 11:00 a.m at the Mt. Pleasant 6th Ward building (461 N 300 W).  Family and friends are invited to attend.

 

 

Robyn Lyn Munk

February 22, 1961 — October 10, 2024

Mt. Pleasant

Robyn Lyn Munk, 63, of Mt. Pleasant, Utah, passed away on October 10th, 2024, after a courageous battle with Leukemia. Born on February 22, 1961, in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was the daughter of Richard and Margaret Ruiz.

Robyn met the love of her life, Dennis K. Munk and they were married on September 19, 1980. They worked hard and played hard and built an amazing life and beautiful family.

Robyn was a dedicated Real Estate Broker for many years and found joy in helping others attain their dreams. Additionally, she enjoyed working at Farmer’s Floral whenever she was needed. She loved expressing her creativity and her floral family. Robyn was known for her quick wit, loyalty, honesty, and straight forward approach. She was always first to lend a hand and help whenever and wherever possible. Robyn had many talents including her artistic abilities, organizational skills, and the ability to make everyone feel like they were special. Let’s not forget the most amazing, free-hand pancakes in any shape imaginable from mermaids and unicorns to motorcycles and dinosaurs. She also had a love for animals and spent countless hours on horseback when she was younger. She had a passion for spending time with her family. She organized many family vacations including the yearly trip to Lake Powell and trips to Disneyland. She was a mom and grandma extraordinaire and there was nothing she wouldn’t do to spoil her grandchildren. This included her many bonus grandchildren that were nieces, nephews and many others that were fortunate enough to find themselves in her life. 

Robyn is survived by; Spouse, Dennis Munk, children, Cameron (McKenzie) Munk, Torrie (Ryan) Rees, Jared (Melisa) Munk. Grandchildren Reagan, Collin, Harrison, Declan Munk, Millie Rees, Sophia, Rowan and Sawyer Munk and Katrina Crawford. Siblings, Brian (Kelli) Ruiz, Teri Beamish and Steven (Kristina) Ruiz, mother Margaret Ruiz. She was preceded in death by her father, Richard R. Ruiz.

Funeral services will be held Friday, October 18, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. in the Mt. Pleasant North Stake Center (461 N. 300 W.). Viewings will be held Thursday October 17, 2024 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. and Friday 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. both held at the Stake Center. Interment will be at Mount Pleasant City Cemetery under the care of Rasmussen Mortuary. Robyn will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

To Watch Recorded Funeral Services, Click Here.

To Watch Recorded Graveside Services, Click Here.

Recordings are available for 60 days from date of service.

Ronald Lee Taylor

 

 

 Ronald Lee Taylor, better known as R.L., passed away peacefully in his sleep in his home in Mt. Pleasant, in the early morning hours of October 14th, 2024, in the care of his devoted daughter Melanie, who loves her Daddy dearly, and the great hospice professionals from Zions Way Home Health and Hospice. He was 89 years old.

 R.L. was born in Mt. Pleasant Utah, on November 29th 1934, to Florence Cestella Jensen Stewart Taylor and Alma Ellison Taylor. He had two older half-brothers, Owen and Melvin Stewart who were raised by their grandparents, and a younger brother, Larry Wayne Taylor, and an older sister, Maridean Joyce Taylor Johansen.

 R.L. was born smack dab in the middle of the Great Depression. He was 5 years old when World War II began. His parents divorced when he was 11 years old, and he, Maridean, and Larry were subsequently raised by their single mother. It was a hard scrabble life. R.L. learned, at a young age, the value of hard work. "Be a doer" his mother would say. But R.L. would later comment, "I don't remember feeling a lack of anything. I feel we had an average childhood."

 R.L. loved to ride horses and to go hunting. He made true, fast, lifelong friends. They enjoyed getting together in the fall to hunt deer. One year he had his face too close to the side-mounted scope on the 30-30 Winchester that his father had given him. When he touched off a round, the scope slammed back, creating a gash that left a scar between his eyes that he carried for the rest of his life. He got the deer though!

 As a freshman in high school doctors discovered that R.L. had "an enlarged heart and a murmur", caused by a case of rheumatic fever as a child. They would not allow him to continue playing high school basketball. R.L. regretted that the same heart condition would not allow him to serve a mission for his church, or to join the military to serve his country.

 The summer before his junior year in high school, R.L. had saved up $300 and he bought a black 1940 Ford, "and it was fast. I loved it" he was heard to say. That fast car came in handy later on, when he was dating a gorgeous girl from Chester, Carlene Anderson. They attended rival schools. R.L. went to North Sanpete High School, back when they were still called the Rams. Carlene went to Moroni High School. R.L. would be in Moroni, having lunch with Carlene, when the bell would sound, warning that there were only five minutes until the resumption of class. It was said that R.L. could make it back to Mt. Pleasant from Moroni in those five minutes, and be on time for his next class.

 R.L. met his future wife of 68 years at a sock hop in the new gym at Moroni High School during his senior year. He married Carlene Vione Anderson of Chester on December 10th, 1954. The young couple moved to Salt Lake City in April of 1955. R.L. quickly found a job working for a construction company building homes. R.L. and Carlene had three children. Ronald Craig, born in 1956. Chad A., born in 1958, and Melanie Ann, born in 1961. R.L. went on to work for the Post Office as a part time letter carrier for a short period, but ended up working for the Air Force at Hill Field, commuting from Salt Lake City for all of those years. R.L. was an active member in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served in the Elders Quorum and enjoyed being Scoutmaster for a few years.

 In 1970 R.L. and Carlene bought a lot in Mt. Pleasant with a dilapidated pioneer home on it. They would later construct a house there, incorporating the pioneer home, to where they would ultimately retire, which they did in 1995. With their love of antiques, it was only natural to open an antique shop in Mt. Pleasant. It was called Heart of Utah Antiques and Collectables. R.L. also stayed busy in retirement buying and renovating four more properties. He was very good at it. The man was a craftsman.

 R.L. loved his family, loved his Savior, and loved his country. He was a friend to anyone who needed one, and would give a total stranger the shirt off his back. He truly had a "big heart." He will be greatly missed. R.L. was known to say, "In a hundred years, none of this will matter."

 R.L. is survived by his brother, Larry, Cedar City. His children, Craig, Mt. Pleasant, Chad (Jeannette), Mt. Pleasant, and Melanie (James) Hancey, Salt Lake City. Also by seven grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren, and nine great-great grandchildren. R.L. was predeceased by his wife, Carlene, His brothers, Owen and Melvin, and his sister Maridean.

 Funeral services will be held October 26th, 2024 at 1100 a.m. in the Mt. Pleasant Stake Center. Viewings will be held October 25th, 2024 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and October 26th from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to services in the church. Interment in the Mt. Pleasant City cemetery. 

 

Kenneth D. Lund (Bunz)

 

 

Kenneth D Lund 71 born in Nephi, UT on February 7th, 1953 left this world with loved ones by his side on October 8th 2024. He is survived by his wife, Diane (Beck) Lund, Children Kenny, Lataya Boylan (Justin), Robert (Shelby), His siblings Dixie Riding, Dave (Debbie) Lund, Grandkids; BreiLynn, Alex, Graysen, Adalyn, TayLee, and BreckLyn. Ken or as everyone knew him, Bunz was a man of all trades. He graduated from North Sanpete High School as a member of the German Club, Tennis Club, and most preferred man (which he reminded his family of that often). After Graduation, he

had high dreams and followed them to California. He later returned home to Sanpete and met the love of his life, Diane. Together they spent the next 47 years creating a life and family they were proud of. He was a talented mechanic that managed his own shop for 30 years and was the best known mechanic in Sanpete County. it was not uncommon for him to do a personal pickup service for clients by picking their car up at their house, servicing it, and bringing it home. He had a love for Golf, Snowmobiling, camping, four wheeling, and spending time in the sunshine with the people he loved most. He was a friend to all. He truly had a heart of gold. He is preceded in death by his parents, Othello and Petrea (Taya), Step Farther Parley, Siblings: Hyrum, James, Doris, and Shirley.

A Viewing was held Sunday October 13th at Rasmussen Mortuary MT. Pleasant from 5-7 pm,  on October 14th. In true Bunzerelli fashion, don't be afraid to show up in a classic vehicle, old truck or street bike to follow him to his final resting place.

To Watch Recorded Graveside Service, Click Here

 Recordings will be available for 60 days from date of service.  

Sherril Ann Simmons Rigby

 

 

SHERRIL ANN RIGBY ~~~ Our Sister in Law

 

 

Sherril Ann Rigby

May 20, 1938 — September 26, 2024

Mt. Pleasant

Sherril Ann Simmons Rigby of Mt. Pleasant, Utah, was a mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend to many, passed away September 26, 2024, in Ephraim Utah at the age of 86. Sherril has been reunited with the love of her life Richard “Dick” William Rigby who passed away on October 14, 2003. 

Sherril was born May 20, 1938, in Chester, Utah daughter of Jesse and Susan Christensen Simmons. She graduated from Moroni High School in 1956 and Married Dick on September 20, 1957, in Chester, Utah. The Marriage was later solemnized in the Manti Temple on November 6, 1997. Sherril served in Primary and was a Relief Society Visiting Teacher for eight years.

Sherril is survived by her son Blake (wife Becky) Rigby of Mt. Pleasant and daughter SuEllen Rigby of

Ephraim has twelve grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Dick, two sons Michael James Rigby and Richard Wayne Rigby, daughter-in-law Shellee Rigby; father, mother, and eight brothers and sisters. 

Family viewing October 5, 2024, from 10:00 - 10:30 at Rasmussen Mortuary.

Graveside service October 5, 2024, 11:00 am at the Mt Pleasant City Cemetery.

 

BERT F. HAFEN

 

Thomas Orthell Allred June 3, 1937 — September 4, 2024 Spring City

 

 

Our family’s hero, Thomas O. Allred, passed away Wednesday, September 4, 2024, in Spring City, Utah, at the age of 87, on the same property where he was born on June 3, 1937. Born to Iris and Parley Orthell Allred, he was the third of four children. 

 

Tom was born and raised in Spring City and attended his elementary education at the old stone schoolhouse. He graduated from North Sanpete High School in 1955. While he began working immediately following high school, he studied Mechanical Engineering at Snow College, University of Utah and the University of Nebraska. He was truly a lifelong learner.

 

Tom is survived by his wife, Dora (Madsen) Allred, and his three siblings Sherlene Larsen, Pat McGerty, and Richard (& Laurel) Allred; and his five children, Katherine (& Don) Vialpando, Nancy Allred; Sam (& Bob) Boland, Christian (& Emily) Allred, and Jason (& Kristy) Allred. Additionally, he’s loved and adored by his 18 grandchildren and six great grandchildren. His welcoming committee on the other side includes his parents; Dora’s parents Cleah & Theadore Madsen; his brother-in-law Frank; and sister-in-law Dorothy; his son-in-law Chuck, granddaughter-in-law Crystal; and his grandson Zachary; and many of his close friends recently departed.

 

Tom’s adult life began with the marriage to Dora Ellen Madsen. Their marriage marked the beginning of a long and happy life together. He and Dora were married November 9, 1956 in the Manti LDS Temple. In November, they would have been married 68 years. 

 

Soon after their wedding, he began working at the wool mill, then became a 3rd Machinist Apprentice with the Union Pacific RailRoad. He would rise in the company by taking positions as District Foreman in Hermiston Oregon, Asst. Superintendent (Green River, WY), then District Superintendent (Cheyenne, WY), and was then moved to UPRR’s Headquarters in Omaha, NE where he worked in the Engineering Department. Lastly, he moved to Little Rock, AK, where he worked within the Quality & Safety Department. 

 

He retired from Union Pacific at age 53 and moved back to Mt. Pleasant, where he and his sons built a beautiful home where he and Dora would live during retirement and use as a gathering place for his family. Gratefully, Nancy and her son, Dustin, joined them and have taken care of Tom, Dora and the home over these many years.

 

Tom was well traveled and enjoyed seeing new places. He travelled to faraway places such as Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Argentina, South Africa and Nova Scotia where he enjoyed seeing the cultures and meeting the people of these countries. 

 

Tom dedicated himself to serving others. He would participate in any opportunity to help others and taught his children to do the same. He served as City Councilman in Spring City for 12 years. He enjoyed working on his retirement hobby farm known as “Uncle Tom’s Farm” and was well known for the sweetest corn and melons in the area; and for a flourishing Pumpkin Patch, which was often painted by his favorite local artists and that received visits from the elementary school kids where each were given the chance to pick out a pumpkin to take home. For decades, he could be found plowing snow from the Spring City streets and church parking lots, and never forgetting the driveways of several widows.

 

But his most cherished acts of service were those that he dedicated to serving within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served in various roles, and enjoyed serving as Counselor to four bishops. He and Dora served a Full-time Service Mission in the Bishop Storehouse. He also served weekly as a Temple Worker in the Manti LDS Temple for 20 years where he loved the work associated with the gathering of Israel within the temple.

 

The legacy he leaves behind is one of dedication, quiet strength, love and incredible faith. He took pride in knowing he could work as hard or harder than anyone and would show his love through actions rather than words. His greatest love was that of his dear wife, children and extended family.

 

As we bid Tom farewell, his impact on the lives he touched is immeasurable. May we all come to know the strength of faith that he had and honor his memory by living with similar commitment to things we care about. Though he may no longer walk beside us, his spirit will forever watch over and inspire us.

Funeral services were held on Monday, September 9, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. MST. A family viewing was held starting at 11:00 a.m. prior to services at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 15000 N. HWY 117, Spring City, Utah 84662. There will be a viewing on Sunday evening from 5:00pm to 6:30pm also at the church.