Bonnie Louise Petty Vernon

Our sweet mother, Bonnie Louise (Petty) Vernon, age 86, returned home to Heavenly Father peacefully in her sleep on May 20, 2026. Bonnie was the first of 4 Children born to Rulon H Petty and Bessie Louise Morley. She was born on July 19, 1939, in a small 2 room house in Ely, Nevada. Her mother wrote in her journal:

“She’s like a real, live, sweet little black-haired doll. She is the cutest little girl with her dark curly hair, and everyone else thinks so, too. I love her so much, it’s hard to realize she is my very own.”

At the age of four, Bonnie and her family moved to Orem, where she and her siblings (Carroll, Paula, and Shaun) grew up attending Sharon and Geneva Elementary Schools, Lincoln Junior High, and later graduated from Orem High School. Bonnie was blessed with many talents. She loved music and was an accomplished pianist and violinist, and she shared her beautiful alto voice for many years, singing in her ward choir. After graduating from high school, she worked at the Barbizon in Provo, where she became a skilled seamstress. This talent became a great blessing to her family, as she lovingly sewed much of her children’s clothing through the years.

Bonnie lived on the same street and in the same ward as her future husband, Lynn Vernon. Their love story began at a “Golden Green Ball” church dance and blossomed at a Halloween dance where they dressed as Jack and Jill, complete with their bucket they carried “up the hill.” What started as a youthful romance grew into a lifetime of love, devotion, and partnership.

Mom was a Faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from a very young age. Her mother writes that at 9 years old, she became very active and members commented on her Valiant Spirit. She loved the Gospel and LOVED to serve. She served in many callings, including Relief Society President, Primary President, Stake Relief Society President, and Stake Primary President, and spent many years in Cub Scouting, earning the District Award of Merit. Mom and Dad served in the Timpanogos & Provo temple for almost 10 years. Mother wasn’t happy if she wasn’t serving.

Mom was bit by the Travel bug in later years. She couldn’t get enough of seeing the world. She and Dad traveled to many faraway places, from China to Israel, Jordan, Italy, and many more. Her last place on her bucket list was Egypt. She never made it, but we know she is enjoying her new freedom and has probably seen it by now.

Mom took great pride in her pioneer heritage. One of the greatest gifts she leaves to her posterity is the collection of family histories and genealogical records she lovingly gathered from grandparents and ancestors. She devoted countless hours to preserving these treasured stories, even encouraging living grandparents to record their memories so she could carefully type and preserve them for her children and extended family. These family histories were deeply important to her, and she wisely understood that they would become a lasting blessing to the lives of her children, grandchildren, and generations to come.

Bonnie and Lynn created a loving home for their children. Their small farm became their own little piece of heaven, where they taught their children the value of working hard, playing hard, serving others, and finding joy in life and family. The backyard was (and still is) their playground.

Bonnie was a master in the kitchen and an exceptional cook. The aroma of fresh bread, baked from wheat she had ground herself, often filled the home and would bring the children running to the kitchen. Her famous pickles and pumpkin pies became treasured family favorites that will be remembered for generations. Throughout the summer, she worked tirelessly canning fruits and vegetables and filling the fruit cellar with delicious food that would nourish the family through the long winter months.

Nothing brought Bonnie greater joy than being a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She devoted her life to her family, always placing their needs above her own. Her fervent prayers on behalf of her children and grandchildren are reflected in the blessings seen in their lives today. We are forever grateful for her wisdom, faith, and unfailing love, and count it one of our greatest blessings to call her our mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Bonnie is survived by her Husband, Lynn Orson Vernon, her 6 children: Karrie (Keith) Stewart, Bob (Lynette) Vernon, Phillip (Carole) Vernon, Danny (Jennifer) Vernon, Jenny (Phillip) Snelson, and Kammie (Mike) Davies. Her 16 precious grandchildren: Mistee, Preston, Andrew, Landon, Issak, Kadon, Tyler, Jacob, Kolby, Makenna, Nick, Merissa, Korbin, Nathan, Jaynee, and Tanner. And her adorable 5 Great Grandchildren: Liam, Ellie, Charlie, Miles, and Aspen, with the 6th on its way.

An evening viewing will be held on Thursday, May 28, 2026, from 6-8 pm at Wheeler-Sundberg Funeral Home, 495 South State Street, Orem.

Funeral services will be on Friday, May 29, 2026, at 11:30 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel, 546 North 500 West, Orem, with a viewing held that morning from 9-11:00 am at the church prior to the service. Interment will be in the Orem City Cemetery, 1520 North 800 East, Orem, UT.

Condolences for the family may be expressed on this page.

For those unable to attend the services in person, you may view the Livestream HERE