Vardie Anne Bunker

Vardie Anne Jacobson Bunker passed away peacefully in her sleep on November 15, 2023, in Orem, Utah. She was born on August 22, 1938, in Salt Lake City to Cecil Baltzar Jacobson and Irene Elizabeth Coleman.

Vardie began her educational journey at Holladay Elementary School, Olympus Jr. High and Olympus High School. She attended Utah State University, where she had a full ride scholarship as the Drum Majorette, played string bass in the orchestra and sang in the choir.  She belonged to and served as President of Lambda Delta Sigma chapter.  Vardie entered pageants to earn scholarships for her education and was Utah’s Dairy Princess and runner-up to Miss Utah. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics.

While at Utah State, Vardie met her sweetheart, Richard. Their first date was dancing at Lagoon, which also began their lifetime love for dancing together. They taught ballroom dancing to LDS youth and never missed an opportunity to "cut a rug." They married for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple July 3rd, 1959.  They raised five children in the East Mill Creek area and taught their children to love the Lord. Their home was full of warmth, art and uplifting music. They invested their time and money in helping develop their children's talents in music, art and dance.  

Vardie dedicated many years of her life to educating young minds as a Home Economics and Health teacher at Murray High School and Hillcrest Jr. High. Her students affectionately called her Mrs. B, and her sewing class was particularly popular among male students, where she taught them to sew down vests and parkas. Vardie's passion for teaching extended beyond the classroom, as she served with her husband Richard in primary, which was her favorite calling.  

Vardie was an accomplished artist and seamstress. She excelled in sculpture, oil painting, and watercolors, winning awards in various competitions across the valley. She had the ability to design, tailor, and execute complex finish work on clothing.  Vardie passed on her love for art and sewing to her grandchildren and held "paint days" with them. Vardie volunteered in the 4-H organization, leading a sewing club and serving as a clothing judge at the county and state fairs.  She loved to quilt and produced beautiful quilt pieces with vibrant colors. Vardie and Richard shared a love for travel and adventure, setting off together on trips to nearly every continent. They had a large map of the world displayed on their wall, crowded with pins for each country they visited.

Vardie's life was filled with love, dedication, and a strong testimony of her Savior Jesus Christ. She served with her whole heart and testimony, never doing things in half measures. She had a deep love for history and genealogy and volunteered as a Docent at the Church History Museum. Her impact as a mother, grandmother, teacher, artist, seamstress, and devoted member of her church will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Vardie will be deeply missed by her surviving family members, including her children Alice Anne Robinson (Paul), Kathleen Bunker Sheffield (Bryce), Stephen Richard Bunker (Janice), Victoria Bunker Horton (Adam), 22 grandchildren and 43 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Richard Bertell Bunker, daughter Rebecca Bunker, son Christopher Bertell Bunker, her parents, and three brothers.

A graveside service in celebration of Vardie’s life will be held November 25, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Memorial Holladay Cemetery, 4900 South Memory Lane, Holladay, UT  84117

In honor of Vardie's memory, her family requests that donations be made to the Intermountain Foundation at Primary Children's Hospital in lieu of flowers. https://intermountainhealthcare.org/primary-childrens/give/

The family would like to thank the staff at Spring Hollow Assisted Living in Orem and Rocky Mountain Hospice for their kindness and attentive care.