Ilona B Stuart

Surrounded by her loving family, Ilona Bahe Stuart returned home to her Heavenly Father on April 27th , 2026 in Draper Utah. Ilona was born on November 1st , 1944 in Gottening, Germany to Hans Botho Alfred Rudolf Bahe and Margareta Anna Leyer and was the youngest of 3 daughters. In 1952, Syliva, Erika, Ilona, alongside their parents left Germany on the ship S.S. America to start their new life as immigrants in the United States. They then traveled to Fairfield, Connecticut to meet her Uncle Heinrich and Aunt Irene Bahe, eventually settling in Salt Lake City, Utah to live closer to the LDS church.

Ilona graduated from South High School and went on to attend the University of Utah and was a member of the LDSSA sorority. Little did she know that this decision would set in motion generations of “rabid” University of Utah fans (GO UTES!!).

On a blind date she met who was to be the love of her life William (Bill) Dabney Stuart III, who on their first date said he was going to marry her. He was right. They were married on April 17th , 1970. Together they raised and loved 2 children Kari and Bill. Ilona rarely spoke about herself, yet everyone who knew her understood how deeply she loved them and how proud she was of her children, grandchildren, and great- grandchildren.

She was a devoted wife and showed love for her family through sharing family traditions and food. Trips to Yellowstone, summers at Fish Lake, Oktoberfest, hosting Thanksgiving dinner for her entire extended family. Everyone knew it was held the Sunday before Thanksgiving and would be fully decked out for Christmas because Christmas was her and her Mama’s favorite holiday. She was notorious for putting up Christmas decorations as early as October and listening to Christmas music all year. Christmas Eve at her sister Sylvia and her husband Walter’s house was never to be missed. Oma/Grandma’s potato salad, clam chowder, rouladen, sauerkraut, red cabbage and candied yams with apples and pecans became cherished family recipes. Ilona was a talented musician and played music by ear. She held many ward and stake musical callings, including ward and primary chorister as well as stake music director.

Ilona is survived by her daughter Kari Jones (Mark Huggins) and son William Dabney Stuart IV (Nicole), granddaughter Elizabeth Pugmire (Judd) Thompson, grandsons Patrick Stuart Jones, William “Liam” Dabney Stuart V, Dallin Bahe Stuart, Greyson Michael Barrett Stuart, great-grandchildren Henry Thompson, Grant Thompson, and Sadie Thompson and sister Sylvia (Walter) Schwemmer. She was preceded in death by her husband Bill, parents Hans Botho Alfred Rudolf Bahe and Margareta Anna Leyer and sister Erika (Don) Runnells.

Our family is profoundly grateful to Canyons Home Care; Hospice (with a special thanks to Dani and Heather), Beacon Crest Assisted Living, and the many individuals whose compassionate care has meant so much over the years. A viewing will be held on Saturday, May 9th from 10:00am until 11:45 at the Sandy Granite View Stake center located at 9880 South 3100 East, in Sandy, Utah. Funeral services will take place immediately after the viewing. Internment to follow at Larkin Sunset Gardens located 1950 East 10600 South in Sandy, Utah.