On April 28, 2026, our beautiful Mother and Grandmother went home to be with her Heavenly Father and was welcomed by a host of loved ones.
Shirley Rae Bonner was born October 11, 1935, in Heber City, Utah to Ray and Josie (Baird) Smith. Her early years were lived in Utah, California, and back to Utah. She attended school at Central Elementary and then walked across the street to Wasatch High School, graduating in 1953.
During these formidable years she found a passion for horses and Grandpa Ray bought her a beautiful gray named Smoky. Smoky was her pride and joy, and she loved him beyond measure. In her teens, she competed and won Wasatch Rodeo Queen. It has been said that “…watching Shirley ride was like watching art.”
Shirley married Wayne Bonner on November 25, 1955. The early years of their marriage were spent in Heber, Kaysville, and Carmichael CA. When she was pregnant with their second child, she came home to have the baby and spend time with family and ended up staying for several months. Shortly before baby number three was born, the family moved back to Heber. Eventually Shirley and Wayne settled in Midway, purchasing Albert and Maggie (Bonner) Stewart’s home where she lived out the rest of her days. Soon after, four more kids would bless their growing family.
She spent her days chasing kids, caring for her animals, and tending to her yard and garden. Occasionally, she took on jobs working at her mother’s hotel, the Heber hospital laundry, The Homestead, Nelsons Mercantile, and as a school crossing guard. She loved to tell the story of chasing racoons out of the Homestead kitchen with Joyce Craig.
But Shirley’s true calling was caring for others. She not only raised her own children, but took care of their friends and cousins, making sure that everyone was well fed and had a safe place to crash. Then as her kids grew and had kids of their own, she once again found herself chasing little ones with love and care.
Her later years were focused on her lovely flower beds that were the talk of the town, her yard, and her grey horses. And don’t forget the goat and dogs and feral barn cats.
And though she eventually lost her memories, she never lost her smile. She will live on in the hearts of all the people she touched over her long life with her love and the giving way that she lived her life.
Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, Ray & Josie, her husband, Wayne, her son, Tyler, her brother, Bob, her sister-in-law, Barbara, her grandson, Chance, and her granddaughter, Shantelle.
She is survived by her children, Bonnie (Mac), Barney (Monica), Brenda, Becky, Trish, and Travis (Diane), daughter-in-law, Jodie, and a gaggle of cherished grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
We will miss you always, Shirl!
Graveside service will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 1 PM in the Midway Cemetery, Midway, Utah.