Bonnie Jean Justesen

With great sadness we have said goodbye to our beloved mother, Bonnie Jean Justesen. She is now home with her Heavenly Father. Bonnie passed of renal failure on Sunday, March 19, 2023, in the St Luke’s Hospital in Ketchum, Idaho. She left this earth the same way she lived her life, with grace and humor. Bonnie was 91.

At her request there will be no funeral but a graveside service for friends and family, followed by a celebration of life at the Carey LDS Church. The details of her service are determinate on the weather and will be published prior to the date.

Bonnie Jean was born on April 7, 1931, in Albion, Idaho to Frank and Muriel Yearsley. Bonnie attended school in Carey until she met and married her husband, Keith. Bonnie fondly told stories of her children, including the time, “Keith left me at the hospital while I was in labor with Trudy and went to the Sale Yard and bought cows. When he got back, Trudy was born.” But Trudy wasn’t the only story to be told. Bonnie also told of shopping trips with her daughter Mary. Mary tells the story that Bonnie would walk so fast to get things done that we had to walk fast to keep up with her. One additional story Bonnie enjoyed telling was of driving to the Cheese Factory to get butter and cheese. “It was just Larry, and by the time we got back home, he had eaten all the butter.”

Bonnie loved adventures and when she and Keith were asked to travel to Saudi Arabia to build farms, they jumped at the opportunity. Bonnie lovingly recalled incidences in Saudi like “mean, wild,” camels strolling down the road, traveling to the market to buy gold, and being in “trouble,” for not wearing her Burka, and being sent back to retrieve it.

Bonnie also was an avid bowler and belonged to several bowling teams, winning many league championships.

Bonnie was integral to her community in Carey, often singing at special events, arranging flowers, making crafts and cooking. Keith and Bonnie owned the Carey Sport Shop for numerous years, helping all who came through the doors. Bonnie was famous in town for her cinnamon rolls, homemade bread and “Sport Shop Beans.” Bonnie was no stranger to the kitchen though, as she, along with friends, Jackie Rudd, and Karen Young cooked for the grade school and high school children in Carey for many years. Bonnie raised and loved all of her grandchildren and each one has many special stories of fun at “Grandma Bon’s.”

Bonnie was most known for her kindness, love, giving spirit and style. Bonnie would loathe to be seen without hot pink lipstick and blue mascara, making her one of the most stylish ladies in town, complete with six-inch heels.

Everyone has a story about Bonnie, how much they loved her or how much she loved them—her family and many friends will miss her greatly.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her mother, Muriel Sparks, husband of 65 years, Keith Owen Justesen and great grandchild, Cody Keith Justesen.

Her grateful and loving children, Larry (Judy) Justesen , Rawlins, Wy., Mary Ann (David, deceased) Amick, Scotts Mills, OR and Trudy (Skip) Peterson, Carey, Idaho were with her during her swift decline and death.

Bonnie leaves behind; children Larry, Mary, Trudy, as well as grandchildren, Tarci Eastburn, Todd Justesen, Paul Peterson, Jamey Miller, great grandchildren, Payton Peterson, Mayson Colter, Jordan Watkinson, Paizlee Peterson, Traxton Justesen and great great grandchildren, Charlie Justesen, Evelyn Watkins, and Dax Watkinson.