Leon Gourdin Bjarnson
1923 ~ 2011
Leon Gourdin Bjarnson, our dear father, grandfather, brother and friend, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, the 19th of November, 2011. Courageous in life and death, he was born May 17th, 1923 to Ingimund Ray and Flora Gourdin Bjarnson in Springville, Utah. On June 12th of 1946 he married his "lovely sweetheart" Eva Jane Smith, who preceded him in death on February 18th 2011. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple on June 25th, 1954 as they became a forever family. He will be greatly missed, but is having a wonderful reunion.
He was happy in his childhood at home with his family. He graduated from Springville High school and afterward attended Frye Aircraft School in Salt Lake. Then he was off to San Diego California and worked for Solar Aircraft. He was drafted into the service of "his country" for WWII in 1943 where he served proudly overseas in combat and ultimately as Staff Sergeant in Germany. He returned home and worked at Geneva Steel while attending school for a four year machinist apprenticeship. He and Eva Jane then built their home in Springville.
He served in the Elders Quorum and as a counselor in two Bishoprics. He served as Bishop, Stake High Councilor and Stake Executive Secretary and other teaching and service capacities. He was proud to serve in the Priesthood. He and his wife served as guides in the Provo Tabernacle. They also enjoyed service in the Provo Temple. Later they served a mission together in the Hawaii Visitors Center, which they treasured immensely.
He enjoyed family vacations, fishing, work, home and service. He would say, "We love everyone", and he meant it.
He is survived by his four children; Linda Craig (Jim) of Mesa, Arizona; Karen Miner (Sherl) of Springville, Utah; Diane Poulson (Alan) of Springville Utah; Steven Leon Bjarnson (Margo) of Mapleton Utah; 21 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren; his brothers Hosmer Bjarnson of Orem, Lynn Bjarnson of Mapleton, and a sister Joyce Simpson of Springville. He was preceded in death by his parents Ingimund Ray and Flora Bjarnson, sisters Wilda Bjarnson, Rosalie Daybell Kirkwood Morgan, a brother Glen Bjarnson and a grandson Marcus Ash.
The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation and love for all those who showed him love and those special people from Community Nursing Services and Hospice of Utah, especially Becca.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday the 26th of November at 11 am in the Hobble Creek West Stake Center, 555 South 600 East (Averett Ave) Springville, Utah. A viewing will be held Friday evening, the 25th of November, from 6-8 pm at the Wheeler Mortuary, 211 East 200 South Street Springville, and prior to the service on Saturday morning from 10:00 am to 10:40 am. Burial will be at the Evergreen Cemetery.
