Valene Vance Bonner

Valene Bonner
April 25, 1930 - October 3, 2018
Valene "Vee" Bonner passed from this life at approximately 5:15 p.m. Wednesday, October 3, 2018, at HopeWest Hospice in Grand Junction, CO, surrounded by her loved ones.
Valene was born in Tooele, Utah to Angus Vance and Rhea Lavon Lott Vance on April 25, 1930. She had two brothers, Blaine Angus Vance (deceased) and Neldon Lott Vance (Lynne). Valene married William Eyre Bonner (deceased), October 8, 1951. The couple lived in Utah until 1957 when they moved to Grand Junction, Colorado. In 1973 they returned to Southern Utah.
Although later divorced, together they raised three children, Rhea Lynne (Douglas) Monroe, Richard Vance (Joyce) Bonner, and Jeffrey Scott (Marlene) Bonner. Rhea has one daughter, Heather Gavry and step-son, Justin Gavry; Richard has five children, Tasy Clark (John), Kathryn (Robert) Bolger, Jessica, Robin, John (Mandy). Scott had four sons, William Scott (Andrea), Timathy Jay (deceased), Jeremy, and Travis (Michelle). Marlene brought three children, Gretchen Reed, Heidi (Michael) Washington, and Charles (Callie) Reed to the family. Valene loved every child equally and especially enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, 55 at last count! Valene also leaves her special childhood friend, Dorothy Conner of Fruita.
In 1976 Valene began working at the University of Utah College of Health with graduate students. By the time she retired in 1994, she was promoted to Budget Director and Administrator for the Dean of the College of Health. Valene loved to travel and did so every time she had the opportunity. She enjoyed 11 cruises and traveled to Hawaii, Alaska, Norway, Antarctica, Europe, Panama Canal, South America, Canada and the East and West coasts of the U.S.
In 2001, Valene returned to the Grand Valley to be with her children here. She loved her home she had built in Chipeta Pines Subdivision. She was a member of the Lands End Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. One of her happiest days was the day she took her Temple Endowments at the Salt Lake City Temple. An avid outdoors woman, she caught salmon in Alaska, shot a 36-inch mule deer in Utah and excelled in golf and bowling. She loved to socialize with her many dear friends during lunch at their favorite restaurants.
Services will be Saturday, October 6, at 12:00 p.m., at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Lands End Ward Chapel, 2949 US-50 Grand Junction. Visitation will be held in the Relief Society room at 11:00 - Noon. Internment will be at the Orchard Mesa Cemetery under the direction of the Grand Valley Funeral Homes.

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