Pearl Ann Bekker

Pearl Ann Nunes Bekker, 88, of Provo, Utah, passed away peacefully at her home on August 6th, 2026.

She was born May 14, 1938, in Hurricane, Utah, the daughter of Frank Costa Nunes and Annie Johnson Nunes. Pearl Ann married Lee DeMoyne Bekker on August 12, 1960, in the Los Angeles, California LDS Temple.

Pearl Ann was raised in Newark, California. She was the oldest of four children, and learned homemaking skills from her mother, including bread-baking, jam-making, cooking, sewing and quilting. She spent much of her childhood picking apricots for local canneries. She and our grandma always claimed those northern California apricots were the undisputed best!

When Pearl Ann was about 22, her mom noticed a new young man at a church activity and pointed him out to her. That young man was our dad – his parents had recently moved to Fremont. Dad had noticed mom too. At a church basketball game that Dad was playing in, he was aware that Mom and her current boyfriend were spectators, so he made sure to make every shot.

Pearl Ann attended Brigham Young University and earned a degree in Elementary Education. She taught 3rd grade until Deanne was born and was a substitute teacher for many years after they moved to Utah. She also worked as an administrative assistant at State Farm Insurance and Century 21 in Carbondale, Illinois.

Pearl Ann never missed a day of school and was a straight-A student (which she reminded her children about many times). She was an accomplished seamstress. She made clothes for her children and Halloween costumes each year – the Bekker kids’ Halloween costumes always stood out. She was an excellent typist and assisted with typing and editing her kids’ school papers, usually at the last minute and late at night.

One of Pearl Ann’s favorite things was a good thunderstorm, which she also picked up from her mother, Annie. During an approaching storm she would throw open the doors and windows, laying towels down to catch the water. She loved hearing the thunder and the sound of rain, a love that she passed on to each of her children, and grandchildren too.

Pearl Ann was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, serving in many capacities including Relief Society President, Nursery Leader, Primary and Young Women’s to name a few. She had a deep faith. Being a member of the church in Carbondale, Illinois in the 70s meant frequent travel to distant rural communities. Throughout her life, mom was always helping people, whether it was baking, cooking, watching their children or just being there as support.

Pearl Ann was a reader. She had a love of books and was a longtime member of multiple book groups from which grew many close friendships. She also kept a journal for most of her life and regularly won arguments about past events because of it.

She was also an enthusiast of nativities. She had a large collection which she, her kids, grandkids and friends added to throughout her life. Every Christmas, Mom and Dad transformed their home into a winter wonderland, adorning it with Christmas trees, nativities, and other Christmas decor. Their children, grandkids and great-grandkids had years and years of magical Christmas celebrations at their home during the holidays.

Pearl Ann and DeMoyne were local and world travelers, camping in the mountains around Utah and exploring many countries, occasionally accompanied by Pearl Ann’s sister-in-law, Beverly Bekker. Mom always said her favorite trip was going to Israel and floating in the Dead Sea.

Pearl Ann was devoted to her husband, DeMoyne and to her four children. She was also a beloved grandmother to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She made her family a priority and had close relationships with each of them. For the past several years, she has suffered from dementia, eventually residing at Legacy Village of Provo when it became necessary for her health. Our family would like to thank the caregivers at Legacy Village of Provo and Renew Home Health and Hospice for their love, support and care of our parents during these last few years.

Pearl Ann is survived by her daughter, Deanne Bekker Tetzl (Richard) of Salt Lake City, UT; daughter, Lynne Bekker Steinkopf (Greg) of Mapleton, UT; son, Todd Wesley Bekker (Tonya) of Gilbert, AZ; son, Matthew Frank Bekker (Kathy) of Orem, UT; 17 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; her sister, Carolyn Glauser (Tony), brother Michael Nunes (Ann), and sister Kathy Thorsen (Bill). She was preceded in death by her husband, DeMoyne, and parents, Frank and Annie.

A visitation will be held at the Wheeler and Sundburg Mortuary, 495 S. State St in Orem on Saturday, August 8th from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Interment will be at Orem City Cemetery at 1520 N. 800 E, Orem at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association. https://Alzheimer's Association /

Condolences may be expressed to the family on this page.