Today we celebrate the life of our beautiful mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and friend, Bonnie Jean Snow, who passed away peacefully on December 25th, 2023.
Bonnie was born on September 17, 1941, to Norma Johnson Snow and James Earl Snow in Provo, Utah, where she attended elementary school. At the age of nine, she moved with her family to Salt Lake City, where she continued her education, graduating from Highland High School in 1959. That same year, she married Verl Moyar. Their union produced three children, David, Suzanne, and Melissa. A subsequent marriage led the family to relocate to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in 1974. She returned home to Utah in 2021.
While raising us, Mom worked part time as a switchboard operator for the Salt Lake City Police Department and, later, Keith O’Brien department store. A few years after moving to Sioux Falls, this experience helped her to secure a position at the Royal C. Johnson Veterans’ Memorial Hospital. She served there for nearly 30 years, advancing from the switchboard to various administrative positions. She truly enjoyed working with the veterans and found meaning in her service to them.
Genealogy was a longtime passion for Mom. After retiring from the VA, she took that interest much further, spending countless hours on Ancestry.com, working to find every possible ancestor. She also helped others build and maintain their family archives as a frequent contributor to the Find a Grave online database.
Mom loved living in South Dakota, but she made sure to visit her family in Utah at least once every year, sometimes more, often driving all 950-some miles herself. If there was a wedding, blessing, or baptism, you would likely find her there.
A lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mom served in many callings in the wards she attended in Salt Lake and Sioux Falls. She was the president of both the Primary and Relief Society, taught both adult Sunday School and Primary, was a Family History Consultant, and most recently served as a Primary Activity Leader. She loved working with the kids.
Throughout her life, Mom enjoyed traveling, movies, cats, reading, collecting china, selling and buying Avon, playing cards, telling stories, and just having a good talk and a laugh. We will forever miss her sense of humor and ability to relate, support, and empathize.
It is of great comfort to remember how fiercely Mom loved her family. She adored being a grandmother and made sure her grandkids, both near and far, received gifts and treats for just about any occasion, and she never missed a birthday.
Mom’s love was especially apparent at Christmastime. Year after year, she purchased, wrapped, packaged, and shipped gifts to virtually every family member, all the way down to great-nieces and great-nephews. She often referred to it as her Christmas frenzy, and it was nothing short of epic! It is not lost on us that she has left us at this time of year that was so meaningful to her. Our sorrow is greater for it, but we are so thankful that her suffering is over.
Grateful for having shared her life are her children, David (Ingrid) Moyar, Suzanne (Dale) Urban, and Melissa (Eric) Renshaw; eleven grandchildren, James (Rachel) Moyar, Jacqueline (Taj) Calles, Angelica (Jon) Castellanos, Benjamin Moyar, Julia (Jayden) Hartle, Gabriel (Melissa) Moyar, David J. Moyar, Jason Urban, Rachel Urban, Griffin Renshaw, and Norah Renshaw; and thirteen great-grandchildren.
Bonnie is also survived by two brothers, Jim (Diana) Snow and Karl (Laverne) Snow; two sisters, Jessie Snow Newman and Kristie Snow Beauchaine; and her lifelong best friend, Judy Volk. She was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents.
Melissa and Suzanne would like to give special thanks to David and Ingrid, who made a space in their home for Mom and worked tirelessly to care for and bring happiness to her in her final years.
A funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 3103 East Craig Drive in Salt Lake City, Utah. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 South Highland Drive, Millcreek, Utah.
7 Condolences for Bonnie Jean Snow
Condolences(7)
Kristi Staton says
December 29, 2023 at 9:55 pmRest in peace Bonnie. Enjoyed working with her at the VA in Sioux Falls
Beverly Ellsworth says
December 29, 2023 at 10:30 pmSo sorry to hear of Bonnie’s passing. I remember her well from Sioux Falls. Sending prayers for your family.
Nickolas Newman says
December 31, 2023 at 12:16 amEvery year for Christmas she sent me and my siblings an ornament. And then when we all got married and started having children of our own, she would always send ornaments for us and our children. Will miss you very much Aunt Bonnie.
Ilene Bertelsen says
January 1, 2024 at 1:33 amIt is with a heavy Heart while reading this. Bonnie was a very special neighbor. We helped each other out whenever we could, with you kids. You all were very special to me, Both Amy and I want to extend our deepest condolences.
roger d logan says
January 1, 2024 at 4:40 amBonnie was an inspiration to everyone she will be missed
keneta l summers says
January 3, 2024 at 11:56 pmMelissa so sorry for your loss
Delia A Parker says
January 4, 2024 at 6:32 pmI grew up knowing her as”cousin Jeannie.” Kinda lost track after she married and moved away. Surprised and saddened to hear of her passing. Watched service online, and loved to hear how her life went, and all the stories of love. Sad I couldn’t make it to the funeral, I don’t drive much anymore. May all the loving memories keep your heart’s full. Much love, Delia
Send Flowers
Sympathy Arrangements
Wreaths and Standing Arrangements
Casket and Family Flowers
Print Obituary