Leon Gourdin Bjarnson

Daily Herald | Posted: Wednesday, November 23, 2011 12:50 am 

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Leon Gourdin Bjarnson

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.

Condolences may be sent at www.wheelermortuary.com

Read more: http://www.heraldextra.com/lifestyles/announcements/obituaries/leon-gourdin-bjarnson/article_27dc594c-d878-5888-93b6-2bde892c53bc.html#ixzz1gX5LTBSe

Aunt?

On 4/17/05 8:25 AM, "Donnette S. Smith" <powergrandma@juno.com> wrote:

I'm sorry but I just can't place that woman. I don't think I have ever seen her picture. She doesn't seem at all familiar.
Donnette

From Myrna:

I wonder who she is? I thought my Grandmother had told me that she was one of Grandpa Ray's sisters. Maybe not. My grandmother only had one sister and two sisters-in-law. I knew them all well and she is not one of them. Sometimes I wish we could ask the things we were too inexperienced to ask while they were alive after they had gone to the other side (and get answers). I thought I paid attention. There is no writing on the photo.
Love, Myrna
From Donnette:
I don't think she is Beatrice or Viola. And not Cynthia, Melva, Dolley orPearle. I just don't know and Richard didn't either.
I agree with you about wishing we could ask about some of these great pictures. I wish I could name all the people at Nellie (Mary Helena) Shouler's wedding.

Donnette

Eric and Factor V

Amy J wrote: Eric just got his factor V results back :(

Myrna wrote: There is another one with Factor V. Rats! So far, that makes Melanie, Todd, Eric with and AnnMarie and Kirsten without. Julie, David and Shawn to be tested. Amy, did they design a plan of action for him?

Alyssa Has a Primary Role in the Musical

The musical starts at 7:30 and went until 10:30 last night.  They hope it will end earlier tonight.

Alyssa finally got in the primary cast after all of these years of lesser roles, and they messed up her name in the program.  She is Alice, and they put some other girl as Alice.  They can't reprint all of them either.  So watch for the girl in the short blond wig.  It is Alyssa.

I suffered with Old Hag Syndrome

Sometime when you have a minute look up Old Hag Syndrome or sleep paralysis. I had that as a young woman and into my middle age. It seemed to have something to do with hormones, in my case. Or so the doctors thought. They really don't know much about it. Don't sleep on your back because it, for some reason, can make it worse. It is just similar to what you experienced and, of course, I am not suggesting in any way that it is the same but I do know that fear of falling back asleep to never wake up in this life again.

I was going to post on Facebook but I am uncertain how far-reaching those replies are. I am not certain that all my friends would understand.

Viruses

Hello Leonard and Myrna--How are you? Thank you for passing along the
article about viruses and how they may affect unborn babies. That was
really interesting, and a bit scary, too. It is kind of like the
human race is outpacing normal evolutionary checks and balances that
come with gradual change. Yikes.

Thanks again--
--Scott McKay

Leonard's Letter to the Editor

I was interested in the article in the paper about Lake Powell pipeline needing funding. I am writing this as a voice of warning to the outlying counties. Beware of those who deceive, lie and, ultimately, steal the water from you. You may be sold a bill of goods through idle promises. Those promoting the plan may even tell you that the water will be better utilized in a very small reservoir to help preserve the June Sucker Fish.

They will tell you: You have plenty of water. We will put in an eight foot diameter pipe to help you use the water you already have. Oh! We will also put a high water system to be utilized at high water seasons to put water under ground in nature’s aquifers so you will have more well water. However, the 42,000 acre feet of water we promised you, and which you have been paying for, will never happen. The sucker fish, in the Mona reservoir, will get some of the water. 

This scenario is a true story. Sanpete and Juab citizens can tell you about the lies and deceit that have gone on between the CUP (Central Utah Water Project) and the two counties. “It is not about money. It is about water.” We have been “suckered.”

Leonard Trauntvein 

Nephi, Utah

I have lost my friend, Ann Olsen

I don't know where they (Robin Olsen Wirthlin and husband) are right now. She had a falling out with her inlaws...not their fault and with all the problems with the school district they left Lexington. She didn't respond to my emails. Ann was getting married. Not sure where she went. Myrna wrote: Ann decided against the marriage. She said it would just be more trouble for her than it was worth so she called it off. However, she is having memory problems because of the brain tumor she had removed. We did get a card from her last May, she thought that was our anniversary, congratulating us. After that, she seemed to disappear. Melanie wrote: Sorry. Shawn might know more. Ron seemed to keep in touch with him for a while. You could look up podiatrists in Flagstaff and see if you can find Russ or Ron. Myrna wrote: Ron Olsen, I think, may be the podiatrist listed in Kingman, AZ. The only Dr. Russell Olsen I could find was listed in Cedar City. Whatever. I suppose that if they want to, they will find me. Thanks. I don't know why I worry so much about Ann. I always did even when she was a cheerleader in high school and I was just me, a girl at a competing school. I don't know how we managed to become friends back then. I can't remember. I thought Ron Sr. was a pain and that she was too good for him. Myrna wrote: Where is she? They all seem to not be answering anything that I send. I was with them on Facebook at one time. I googled Robert and Robin's names and all I got was stuff about a pending lawsuit. None of the references ever did say what the outcome was. One written by the "other side" said they left the state as soon as they filed. Anyway, I can't find where Ann is either. Her invitation came back. I did get one of those weird, "I am out of country and need your financial help" emails. I was a bit worried and I did contact the family to learn, of course, that it was a hoax. Ann changed her email address and her facebook page after that. And it is as if she disappeared. Even Colleen Bender said that she was getting the snail-mail things she sent back--cards, etc.

Calendar Items from AnnMarie

AnnMarie wrote: Kim, I'm including you on this in case any of your kids need to see concerts.

 

I just found out the musical that Kyle and Alyssa are in is starting this Wednesday - Saturday at 7:30.  I don't know the cost.  There is a matinee on Monday the 21st at 2:30.  It is Thoroughly Modern Millie.  At Timpview High School.

 

The Pearl Harbor farewell concert for Kyle and Megan is 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 22.

 

Alyssa is singing at UVU in the Forgotten Carols again this year.  Kyle cannot because he will be in Hawaii for the rehersals.  That is Dec. 1 at 7:30.  I'll look up ticket prices soon and get back to you.

 

Megan's orchestra concert will be Dec. 6 at 7:30.

 

Alyssa and Kyle's choir concert will be Dec 8 at 7:30.  They sing in SLC at Temple Square on the 17th in the evening, they do this every year, but it is really cold. 

 

Kyle's band concert will be Dec 13 at 7:30.

 

Matthew's choir concert will be Dec 14 at 6:00, at Wasatch Elementary

 

The piano recital is next week on Monday night.  It is not a big one, so I will tell you when the Spring show is.

I don't know when the voice recital for Kyle and Alyssa is.  I'll let you know.

Kyle's Eagle Court of Honor will be in January (I hope).  We have been waiting for another boy to submit his papers.

 

I think that is it for the big things.

Myrna wrote: Just going through all of this calendar, I discovered that we missed the farewell concert. DRATS! Why was that?

AnnMarie wrote: Did you see the video on KSL about Pearl Harbor?  They have pictures on the left side from the concert.  Also, they told Brandon that they would play a larger segment of the band on Dec. 7--Pearl Harbor Day.

Myrna wrote: Yes, I did and we did watch that but I am still put out with myself. I guess I am like a little girl and need daily reminders. Are they performing again when they get back?

AnnMarie wrote: At the Capitol on the 7th.

Myrna: We will be there with bells on. Do you know what time?

Russ Bender Wrote

Thanks for the update on Todd; it is interesting to learn how his body and senses are responding.

     

Also, we were not really needed at the Temple as substitutes.  First, your Sister coordinator called Colleen and told her that she would not be needed Saturday.  Then I called Bro. Maxwell, and he said if the weather is too bad Saturday morning to not worry about driving to Manti.  He said he had all the parts covered; but, if the weather was OK, he could probably use me in the baptistry.  Well, as you know, it was snowing pretty hard that morning, and especially it looked like heavy snow up the canyon.  So, we felt it was prudent to not try to drive up the canyon.

 

     Love, Russ and Colleen

Myrna wrote: Thanks. They told us that you were willing but not really needed. We certainly made up for that slow day on 11/11/11!!!!