Bonnie Beardall Decker

Practical. Brilliant. Generous beyond measure. Bonnie Beardall Decker, age 84, was all three. The daughter of a professional educator, Bonnie had a natural gift for teaching and learning. After graduating from Brigham Young High School in 1950, she attended Brigham Young University where she received a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in microbiology. Her choice of studies not only landed her the man of her dreams  (a handsome fellow student named Daniel Decker whom she met in the chemistry beaker lab where she blew glass), but it prepared her for the greatest work of her life—motherhood.

Bonnie read bedtime stories to her seven children such as “The Adventures of Jimmy the Microbe,” and she taught them how to properly sanitize a dish. More importantly, she exemplified the virtues of patience and determination as she lovingly nurtured her children until her very last moment on this earth (December 2, 2016).

Bonnie and her husband, Daniel, worked tirelessly for their family, a church they loved, and a gospel they believed in whole heartedly. They were married in the Salt Lake City temple in 1954. Forty-one years later they served a full-time LDS mission together in Seattle, Washington. Other LDS church callings that held a special place in Bonnie’s heart were cub scout den mother, Spanish microfiche extractor, and family history consultant (of the superhero variety).

Bonnie was the kind of person who laughed so hard it made her cry. She was the kind of wife who loved and cared deeply for her husband of 62 years (with an eternity to come in heaven).  She was the kind of sister who never stopped enjoying the comradery of her brother. She was the kind of mother who did laundry and dishes until her chapped hands bled and then used those same hands to scratch her children’s backs at night until they fell asleep. She was the kind of grandma and great-grandma who threw amazing family reunions and never forgot to send birthday cards.

Bonnie is greatly mourned by her husband, Daniel; her brother, John Beardall;  her seven children and their spouses: Kenneth & Mary Decker, Renae & Randy Everitt, Ralph & Tracy Decker, Max & Lisa Decker, Eldon & Kathrin Decker, Keith & Karen Decker, Lois & McKay Brown; her 47 grandchildren and their spouses; and her 26 great grandchildren.

A viewing will be held at the LDS Provo Peaks 2nd Ward church (965 North Locust Lane, Provo, Utah) Friday, December 9th, 2016 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. at the same location. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to either BYU or the LDS missionary fund. Bonnie was, above all, very practical.