Bernice Joyner Bawden

Our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother Bernice, of Orem, Utah, passed away peacefully in her home on September 7, 2017, at the age of 96.

Bernice was born in Provo, Utah, on August 12, 1921, the daughter of John Leonard and Pearl Druscilla Leetham. She grew up in Provo and attended Provo High School. She married Russell James Joyner on June 17, 1939, and resided in Provo and Orem. Together, they had three children and enjoyed camping, hunting, and fishing. Prior to Russell’s passing in 1992, they shared over 50 years of loving and caring for each other. On May 5, 1995, Bernice married Don J. Bawden. Together, they enjoyed playing cards, eating out with friends, and camping.

Bernice enjoyed going to lunch with her children and grandchildren on a daily basis and attending monthly luncheons with her neighbors. She also enjoyed many road trips and traveling abroad to Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, Germany, Russia, Switzerland, Turkey, Israel, and Egypt, with her two husbands, family, and many friends. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In her younger years, she taught Mutual and was a Visiting Teacher. Bernice also volunteered as a Pink Lady at Utah Valley Hospital, Provo, Utah. She was active in both the Provo and Orem Women’s Clubs, the Lion’s Club, and 20/30 Club. Bernice was a devoted homemaker and a cherished wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother, and aunt.

Bernice is survived by: her three children, Carolee (Joe) Dewey, Rosalie (Bill) Snow, and James (Lori) Joyner; 13 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; 27 great-great grandchildren; and one sister Betty Martell. She was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, and two brothers Leonard and Max Leetham. The viewing and funeral service will be held at Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary located at 495 South State Street in Orem, Utah, on Thursday, September 14, 2017. Viewing is from 10:30-11:00 a.m.; funeral service begins at 11:00 a.m. Interment will take place at Orem City Cemetery located at 1200 North 800 East.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer’s Association at http://act.alz.org.

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