Bonnie Lou Grant

1934 ~ 2022

Obituary Photo for Bonnie Lou Grant < >

Public Visitation - Larkin Mortuary

260 East South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah
Jun 21, 2022 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Memorial Service - Draper Utah Stake Center

13085 South 300 East, Draper, Utah
Jun 22, 2022 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Bonnie Lou Davis was born in Independence, Missouri, on September 21, 1934, to Mary Elizabeth and Elbert Halston Davis as the third of their four children. As a child, Bonnie was a daddy’s girl who loved going to Westerns with her father and showing off by riding her bike around the neighborhood with no hands. After the untimely passing of her father when she was 13 years old, Bonnie’s mother moved the family from Independence to Salt Lake City, Utah. There, she attended Roosevelt Junior High and East High School, where she graduated in 1952.

In 1958, she met a charming 6’ 7” returned missionary at the local church dance named Paul Greenwood Grant. Paul was drawn to Bonnie’s southern class and beauty and the two were married in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, on June 15, 1959.

Despite initially expressing a general disinterest in babies to Paul, Bonnie gave birth to their first child a short ten months after their wedding. Over the next 19 years, Bonnie would birth eleven more children, bringing the final head count to an even twelve—seven boys and five girls. Bonnie was very proud of her children—proud of both their individual accomplishments and their statures, often noting that nearly all her children easily surpassed six feet in height.

After Paul retired from a judgeship in 1992, they moved to Jackson, Wyoming. Shortly thereafter, Paul was called to serve in Auckland, New Zealand as a mission president for the Church. At Paul’s side, Bonnie diligently served the missionaries in New Zealand, the Cook Islands, and Nuie Island for three years. During this time, she gained many new friends and admirers and enjoyed the beautiful surrounding landscapes.

After their mission, Paul and Bonnie returned to their retirement home in Wyoming, where Bonnie would be close to the mountain range she so loved—the Grand Tetons. Bonnie’s work then shifted from missionary to innkeeper for the ever-revolving door of family and friends eager to take advantage of Bonnie’s first-rate hosting, which included clean and neatly made beds, delicious meals on perfectly set tables, and a fun-loving tour guide (Bonnie) with whom to explore the close-by national parks.

Paul and Bonnie left their home in Wyoming and moved to Draper, Utah in 2013, where Bonnie would spend the final chapter of her life closer to her growing family. On June 9, 2022, Bonnie passed peacefully in her Draper home while lying next to her adoring husband of nearly 63 years. The room was filled with many of her children and grandchildren who came to bid a loving farewell to the strong matriarch of this large Grant clan.
Bonnie leaves behind a legacy of service, love, strength, and humor.

As a mother, Bonnie was a true “mama bear.” She was an exceptionally tough lady who loved her children fiercely, stood ever ready to defend and support them, and worked tirelessly to keep them well-fed to ensure they would grow big and strong.

Bonnie was a woman of unwavering faith and dedication to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served her Heavenly Father selflessly through her many Church callings and frequent acts of kindness.

Bonnie was a hard worker and did not waste time in completing a task. You would be hard-pressed to find anyone who could match the speed at which she could type a document, drive a canyon, or peel a potato.

Bonnie loved her life and easily found joy in it. She dearly loved family and was not shy in letting them know with her sweet words, tight squeezes, and long goodbyes. She loved animals—both the domestic animals she cared for in her home and the animals she was so skilled at spotting in the wild. She loved classical music and old movies, often listening to a favorite song multiple times in a day and never tiring of rewatching a favorite film. She loved the outdoors and never shied away from the chance to swim in an ocean or lake, no matter how cold the temperature. She loved watching basketball, particularly the games in which her progeny played. She loved measuring the height of her grandchildren and inviting them, no matter their size, to sit on her lap for a cuddle. She loved to tease and could often be caught with a mischievous grin after successfully pranking an unsuspecting victim. She especially loved to laugh and delivered a signature giggle so infectious and adorable that it will stay permanently in our memories.

Bonnie is survived by her sister Sharon (Stephen) Anderson; husband Paul; children Gregory and Deanne (ret) Grant, Elizabeth and Robert (ret) White, Nathan and Diane Grant, Catherine and John Hunt, Joshua and Deborah Grant, Melissa Grant, Jeremy and Cynthia Grant, Jason and Carrie Grant, Rachel and Tim Taylor, Adam and Jennifer Grant, Seth and Heidi Grant, and Chrissy Grant; and 35 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren (to whom Bonnie is known as “Nana”). She is preceded in death by her parents and two siblings, Virginia Chapman and Eugene Davis. Bonnie leaves us with many happy memories and an example of a service- and joy-filled life that is especially worthy of emulation. We love and miss our Nana immensely. We are grateful to have been a part of her time on this earth. And we will think of her often until the happy day when we see her again.

A memorial service to celebrate Bonnie’s extraordinary life will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, at the Draper Utah Stake Center located at 13085 South 300 East, Draper, Utah. A public visitation will take place from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at Larkin Mortuary located at 260 East South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah. Immediately following the memorial service, a luncheon will be held and hot fudge sundaes served as we celebrate Bonnie's wonderful life.

To watch the recorded memorial service, click on the following link or the "Watch Services" button at the top of Bonnie's obituary: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/iXT5haV3iqHpjIUZXjZZ5ktZL1RPkzUgnjoNtM0xHPO0kRLHigClvm8AkQ7RMcQi.46UC6vGXLH7yDAyf


Guestbook/Condolences

President Grant, my heart goes out to you and your family during this time.
I'll always be thankful for knowing you both and the time we spent in NZ and your and your wife's kind living guidance.
Love you and your wife, my condolences 💔


- Bird Young

We've lost a great lady, a keen sense of humor, and a strong testimony of the Gospel.


- Dan & Sharon (Sager) Boskovich

Sincerest condolences for all in the Grant family at the lost of your matriarc. The Cribbs family sends love and heal to all in your time of need.

Love 💚
The Cribbs Crew


- Rachel Cribbs

Hugs and prayers for your family.


- Marsha Lee

Sister Grant was one of the BEST mission moms out there. She was so much fun to be around. A real genuine person. I felt like I could talk to her like my own mother. She will be missed by MANY, especially those in the New Zealand, Auckland mission. Aroha Nui, Sister Grant. Til we meet again.


- April Raff Hansen

I was a missionary in Auckland when President and Sister Grant served . They were wonderful and would always greet you with a smile, I loved our meetings at the mission home we would have our interviews with President, then eat and talk with Sister Grant, she always had a big pot of something and I think she might have got more information out me because I was eating. We knew they both loved us and we loved them. Last time I saw them was at Aaron Wirepa s home in Auckland when they came out.
President and Sister Grant you both had such a profound impact on my life, I express my love for you both, and give thanks to your family for the 3 years they allowed us to have them. Tenei te mihi atu kia a koe Tumuaki me tona whanau hoki Kia a koe Whaea oki oki mai ra kei roto i te aroha o te atua. E mohio ana ahau Te Atua ora kei te rangi e noho ana. E mohio ana ahau te tana tama o Ihu Karaiti to tatou Kai whakaora, e mohio ana ahau he whanau mo ake tonu, Arohanui Israel and Trina Wirihana and our 8 kids (was trying for the 12 tribes of Israel but had to settle for 8)


- Israel Wirihana

Judge,

You stunned me with your call telling me of Bonnie's passing the other night. I had to take a moment from what I was doing. How lucky were you and all your kids to have this classy lady as a wife and mother.

My wife and I so enjoyed being able to spend a recent wedding anniversary with both of you. Thanks for marrying us, hosting us at the the "retirement center" in Wyo. and other ways we've been able to stay in contact since my days of delinquency.

Grateful to have a knowledge that she is smiling down on you and yours. Grateful to know that we will get big hugs from her again.

Love you Brother

Joel


- Joel

My husband and I met Melissa, Bonnie’s daughter (I would imagine Melissa to be her favorite child because there is no one quite like her in the world!) at the University of Rochester . We never met Bonnie, but have known her through Melissa. Bonnie, rest in peace, because raising a kind, generous and incredibly loving kid like your daughter who we have known you through, is the ultimate legacy. Lots of love and tremendous respect, Parakram, Subodh & Smita


- Smita Singh

Bonnie was always so sweet and kind. I know her family will miss her an we will also.


- David and Donna Garbrecht

Bonnie really got my attention when we moved into North 33rd Ward. She was stunning as well as smart and fun to be around.
I remember she was out roofing their new house when she was about nine months pregnant with one of their children. She loved each and every one of their twelve children. She was a devoted mother and had good advice to share with new mothers. Not only was Bonnie a beautiful lady, she was beautiful on the inside, too. To know her was to live her!


- Carma Black

To Paul and you wonderful grand children, What wonderful memories Jane and I have a beautiful Bonnie Davis Grant. She had such a sparkling and happy personality, and we loved being around her. Although we have not seen you or her for a very long time, memories of your entire family are vivid and wonderful. I am so sorry we will not attend the funeral; my mothers younger sister Joanne just passed, and her funeral is in Provo at exactly the same time as Bonnie’s. We wish you every blessing. Dick and Jane


- Richard Hinckley

Dear President Grant, I just wanted to let you know how much we love you and your beautiful wife Sister Grant, she was indeed like another mum to us while on our mission and as now a mother I aspire to be as she was to us and her own children. She was a true example of how to love others and displayed the pure love of Christ, she was always so kind, thoughtful and patient. I will always remember the time we knelt together in family prayer the last night of my mission, her example, pearls of wisdom, how she helped me when I asked and how she was always there for us as you were. I hope and pray that you feel of Heavenly Father's love at this time and that we can be there for you as you were there for us, even if we are on the other side of the world. Sending much love, hugs and prayers to you and your wonderful family at this time. Lots of Love (Arahanoui) Deaana and family xxoo


- Deaana Lazanski (Sister Jones)

Thank you for your influence as my mission mother. You loved me enough to even came to my sealing at the Temple. At that day mother was not yet a member of the church and she stayed outside the Temple. I was at peace because you were there.
I have a feeling that you now greet my mother and speak with her about me. She was baptised 3 months before she passed.
Always love and appreciate you.

Elder Lavaka


- Sione Lavaka

Just found out this past Tuesday, August 9th that Bonnie passed away. We would have been to the services and so enjoyed seeing the whole family and reminiscing about this grand lady. She brought a smile to everyone's day, and she could laugh through almost anything, even the time Greg was accidently left at a service station on one of your vacations. We enjoyed a fun stay at the Grant lodge in Moran one summer. Paul, you and Bonnie were married the year I was born, so I literally looked way up to you and Bonnie my whole life, both physically and with respect. My heart was always happy when the Grant clan stopped at Brown's Arabians, and kid after kid piled out of your vehicle. It was a treat in every way. I will let the Greenwood cousins know about Bonnie's passing. All our love and sympathy is with each and every one of you. Bonnie was a beautiful woman, inside and out. She would be pleased at the well written and memorable obituary. I see her gorgeous smile as I write this.


- Kayl &Susan Brown Smith