Retta Elvonna "Bonnie" Brown

Retta Elvonna (Bonnie) Johnson Brown
November 27, 1934 - May 29, 2025

Retta Elvonna Johnson Brown, affectionately known as Bonnie, passed away peacefully at the age of 90 on May 29, 2025 in Lehi, Utah.

Bonnie was born in Elsinore, Utah, the fifth child of LeGrand Christian Johnson and Mary Ellen Nielsen. She attended elementary school and junior high school in Elsinore, then 9th through 11th grade in Monroe, Utah. At the age of 17 she moved to Los Angeles, California where she lived with her older brother and finished her last year of high school. She then began college in Cedar City, Utah before transferring to Utah State University in Logan. She graduated from Utah State with a degree in English where she also received her teaching certificate.

She married Melvin J (Buzz) Brown of Koosharem, Utah in 1957 while living in Logan. The marriage was later solemnized in the Los Angeles Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1964. Bonnie began working on a Masters Degree at Utah State while Buzz finished school. They welcomed their first child, Valri, while living in Logan. After Buzz and Bonnie finished school, she worked for many years in education, primarily at Topa Topa Elementary in Ojai, California. Later in life, Bonnie and Buzz served a one and one-half year full-time mission in the Los Angeles Temple; they then continued to serve one week per month for the next seven years.

Bonnie and Buzz lived most of their family life in California. Shortly after the birth of their second child, Scott, they moved to Ojai, where they lived for 58 wonderful years and raised their family, welcoming two more children, Erik and Amanda, while there. Amanda Rachel passed away shortly after birth and has always held a special place in their hearts. During their years in Ojai they had the opportunity to live in Saudi Arabia for over two years and had the adventure of traveling extensively internationally with their children. After many years in Ojai, they moved to Saratoga Springs, Utah to be near family.

Bonnie loved people and loved being involved in many facets of family, church and community life. Her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews were dear to her. She loved holding a Cousins Camp in the summers for her grandchildren. She was a prolific journal and letter-writer through the years as many people in her life can attest. She was well known for her cinnamon rolls! Bonnie was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in a great number of callings in Primary, Young Women, and Relief Society throughout her years.

Bonnie is survived by her husband of 67 years, Melvin J (Buzz) Brown; children, Valri Western (David), Scott Brown (Valerie), and Erik Brown (Amy); 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved dearly. Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents, LeGrand Johnson and Mary Ellen Nielsen Johnson; her infant daughter, Amanda Rachel Brown, and many other beloved family members.

Funeral services will be Saturday, June 7, 2025 at 1:00 pm in the Koosharem Ward Chapel. There will be a viewing prior to services from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm at the church. Interment will be in the Koosharem Cemetery.

Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook www.maglebymortuary.com