Bonnie Jean Simons Malmrose

Bonnie Jean Simons Malmrose, was “borned in a haunted house with a veil over my face” in Salt Lake City, Utah on April 12th, 1934 to Harold Earl Simons and Fredda Mable (Olson) Simons. Bonnie was the seventh of ten children and graduated from Granite High School in 1953 where she served as Vice President of her class and was involved in both athletics, including softball, tennis, swimming, horseback riding, and running, and in music, playing the saxophone, piano, clarinet, and singing. Although Bonnie was only 5’2”, she was a spit-fire and had an extremely competitive spirit in every aspect of life which opened up other opportunities to grow like being invited to play the saxophone with a University of Utah dance band at the young age of 17, where she wowed the all-male dance band members, as well as playing fast-pitch softball in the 1950’s with the Utah Shamrocks. April 26, 1954, brought big changes to her life when Bonnie met and married her sweetheart and best friend, Dale Goude Malmrose, from Brigham City, Utah, and in May 1955, Bonnie and Dale were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake temple. From then on, they became inseparable. Being united in marriage they also became united in music where Bonnie and Dale formed the band “Bonnie and the Boys” featuring Bonnie on saxophone with Dale keeping rhythm on the drums. Bonnie made sure to pass on her athletic and musical talents to her seven children teaching each to play the piano at a young age and continuing with sports playing tennis, swimming, and basketball as a family. As their children grew, they formed the vocal group “Malmrose Melodians” where they performed on the Eugene Jelesnik show, at several senior centers, for church events, and various venues as far away as California and Washington.
Bonnie was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many callings as well as wrote and directed many award winning roadshows. She was a great example of Christ-like service to those in need, donating her time and energy to assist the young and the old, family and friends. A trait which her children still carry on today. She had a zeal for life living the motto “smile and the world smiles with you, frown and you frown alone”. She always brought a smile to everyone who came her way, never too shy to speak her mind or spark up a conversation. She was always singing hymns, primary songs, and songs from musicals, one of her favorites being “Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day, I’ve got a beautiful feeling, everything’s going my way”.
Family was her life. Even with seven children, twenty-two grandchildren, and forty-five great-grandchildren, Bonnie never missed a birthday. Everyone looked forward to their “birthday call” where she started singing before you could say “hello” and a birthday card where she added her own special touch of misspelled words (corrected by Dale). Family parties were held all year long. Summer parties consisted of BBQs, swimming, and a competitive game of pool volleyball and Christmas parties included singing, Santa, and a nativity performance, by the younger children, and talent show. Christmas Day tradition consisted of Bonnie and Dale making the rounds to all of their children’s houses to see what Santa had brought. Christmas was always followed by New Year’s where you better not stay up late because the annual New Year’s Day bowling and pizza party started bright and early!
Bonnie supported her family in everything they did, never missing a concert, graduation, dance recital, or game where she could be heard over everyone else rooting and coaching from the sidelines. She wasn’t your typical grandmother in the fact that her cooking was her own style and flavors. You never knew what cereal was actually in the Lucky Charms box because Bonnie would consolidate all the nearly empty variety of cereals into one box. She would always put in a little “extra” into her macaroni and cheese such as tuna fish or hot dogs. Even with this, she was still considered the “fun grandma” always singing and joking and willing to embarrass her children and grandchildren for a good laugh. During the 2002 Winter Olympics, Bonnie went to see her granddaughter perform with the Olympic Band and later walked around pretending her and her granddaughter were on the Swedish Ski Team, imitating a Swedish accent trying to speak English as she passed by people. She loved roller coaster rides and was probably the only grandma in line for the Colossus at Lagoon every year. She was always telling elaborate stories, to the children, hanging on to every word, and always had treats stashed away in her purse or at home for them. She loved Utah sports teams and watching Utah Jazz basketball, UofU football, and BYU football. She was constantly trying to play match-maker where she proudly succeeded a few times. She was always so proud of her family and when it came to musical talents or sports, she would stake claim and let them know that they got that talent from her. Whether it was rooting from the sidelines, teaching how to play the piano or swim, sharing life lessons or stories, or just sitting outside and watching the planes fly in, Bonnie knew how to make every one of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends feel special to her.
Our Mother, Grandma, Great Grandma, and devoted wife to Dale was such a great example of living life to its fullest and not letting anything get in the way of a good laugh. She taught her children to pray and have faith in the Lord always. She gave us a legacy of music that will live on through the lives of generations to come. There is no doubt she will be singing with the angels in Heaven free from the pain and afflictions of this mortal life. What a great reunion she is having with family and friends and with Heavenly Father as he welcomes one of his chosen daughters back home and into his arms.
Bonnie is preceded in death by her parents, siblings; Dorothy Johanson, Earl Simons, Fred Simons, Spence Simons, Johnny Simons, Danny Simons, and Margie Henze.
Survived by her husband, Dale; daughters, Diana Littlewood (Brent), Jeannie Perrington (Robert), Deniece Barking (Frank), Julianna McAloon (John); sons, Cary Malmrose (Julie), Paul Malmrose (Janalee), Earl Malmrose (Sandra); brother, Harvey Simons (Gloria); and sister, Beverly Merrill; twenty-two grandchildren and forty-five great grandchildren.
A viewing will be held Dec 14 from 12-1:45pm, followed by funeral services at 2pm. Services and interment will be at the Memorial Mountain View Mortuary, 3115 E 7800 S, Cottonwood Heights, UT.
Service Information
Viewing December 14, 2019 at 12:00-1:45 PM
3115 E 7800 S, Cottonwood Heights





Funeral Service
December 14, 2019 at 2:00 PM
3115 E 7800 S, Cottonwood Heights