Bonnie Jean de Jong

Bonnie Jean de Jong passed away peacefully on October 29, 2023 (age 69) surrounded by her family.

Born on December 5, 1953 in Salt Lake City, Utah, Bonnie was welcomed with love by her parents, Carma Swenson and Leo Thomas Forsberg. She married her LDS Business College sweetheart, Stanley Cayton de Jong in the Salt Lake Temple in March of 1974.

She is survived by her husband, Stanley Cayton de Jong, her children and their spouses, Nicole Howden (Chad), Cody de Jong (Britney), Spencer de Jong (Heather), Stacy Anne Rasmussen (Jay), and Chase de Jong (Paige). Bonnie loved her posterity which included 14 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. 

Bonnie loved life and thrived on being with her family. A few years ago, while she could still write, she wrote these goals: always be happy-every day; be glad I’m alive; go on a mission with Stan; make joy; make more friends; and have fun and party. These things are what mattered most to her.

Bonnie sacrificed her time and energy to bless and serve others. She was a great example of selfless giving to family and neighbors alike. Her neighbors knew that she would be the first to sign up to serve others when given an opportunity. Bonnie had a fervent testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. She was an incredibly faithful person throughout her life: faithful to God, faithful to her husband and family, and faithful to her friends. She served the Lord diligently in the organizations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Two of her spiritual highlights included serving two missions with Stan: the West Virginia Charleston Mission and the Utah Salt Lake City South Mission. Bonnie also enjoyed serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Draper Temple.

“Be good, be clean, be cool!” Those were Bonnie’s parting words every time we left our home. As a mom and grandma, she showed us how to live life to the fullest. We always knew we were her love and priority, her pride and joy. Bonnie gave us the best of everything, including meals and treats, and made every holiday special. She was the best cheerleader for her family’s sports and dance activities. She helped build our cabin at Bear Lake and created an atmosphere of joy, fun, and adventure for all. Each of us holds a special place for her in our hearts, with love and gratitude, which will last for eternity.

Bonnie was a determined woman. She had incredible energy and drive to accomplish her dreams and goals. She would find ways to make things happen. Exercise and fitness topped the list of things she wanted to do. You could always find her enjoying the outdoors with Stan: skiing, biking, hiking, backpacking, side by side riding, and walking the dog to name a few. She once told him, “I’m not going to stay home while you have fun.  I’m going with you.”  So, all of these activities were enjoyed together. Her goals were not limited to outdoor sports.  Bonnie loved to decorate her home with classy taste and charm. She definitely had a knack for this. She loved to cook and bake, creating mouth-watering meals and desserts for her family. She spent many hours sewing beautiful quilts and planting her vegetable garden each spring which yielded the best veggies in the neighborhood.

Music was always a great part of Bonnie’s life. Everyone knew that she loved John Denver’s songs and music. It was second only to Christmas music! One surprising thing about Bonnie was that she learned to play the mountain dulcimer. This gave her an appreciation for traditional folk music. She loved listening to the Tabernacle Choir and had a beautiful singing voice herself.

Bonnie was loving and kind to everyone she met and knew. She shared her love with so many throughout her life, and that love was returned by all. Words cannot express how greatly you’ll be missed, Bonnie. 

Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 PM on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at the Sandy Utah Alta View Stake, Silver Mesa Ward building, 8945 S. 1700 E., Sandy, Utah 84093. A viewing will be held prior to the funeral services from 10:30 - 11:45 AM. Interment will be at Memorial Holladay Cemetery, 4900 S. Memory Lane, Holladay, Utah.