Bonnie Hunt Aslami

She was surrounded by her family. She was loved by so many and is sorely missed by us all.

Mom was born in Buhl, Idaho, to Max and Beulah Hunt. The family moved to the small southern Utah town of Santa Clara shortly after mom’s birth, and that is where she grew up. She loved and admired her parents, as well as her 11 siblings. Sadly her “angel mother” died unexpectedly, and Bonnie (at age 13) was left to help raise her 3 younger siblings while struggling to adjust to the loss herself.

She was a good student and athlete and was known as the “Blue Bomber” on the kick ball field. After high school, she pursued a teaching degree at the College of Southern Utah (now known as SUU). Midway through her studies she moved to Salt Lake, where she worked for Mountain Bell Phone Company, and later at the Church Office Building. In 1964, while in Salt Lake, she met and married John Aslami, who had recently emigrated from Kabul, Afghanistan. The couple had 2 sons, Steve and Ryan, and they were the joy of their parents' lives. She loved, taught, defended, and spoiled the boys, and she fed them very well. She also served as a “second mom” to several of her son’s cousins and friends, who felt at home in her presence. Her 10 course breakfast feasts for them were legendary. She was a powerful example of faith and service and was a committed member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, serving as a teacher as well as a member of Primary and Relief Society presidencies. She was also known as a gifted cook to all in her Granger neighborhood, famous for her spicy spaghetti sauce, with pepperoni and Italian sausage, and for delicious desserts like Mississippi Mud and cheesecake.

While raising her family, she returned to Cedar City and finished her teaching degree

then worked as a special education teacher. She later changed career directions and worked for the state as an adjudicator for the Department of Workforce Services where she did all she could to assist those who had lost their jobs. She was a fierce defender of the underdog, always standing up for those in need.

Mom loved all babies, as well as birds and flowers, the colors of the leaves in fall, and good down-home cooking. She also loved a sweet treat after dinner! She had a beautiful alto voice and sang in the ward choir for years. Bonnie instilled in her boys a love of music, and supported them in their efforts, paying for instruments and lessons, and attending their performances on many occasions.

Later in life, she enjoyed helping to raise her four grandchildren, doting on them constantly. Her memory of life's experiences was amazingly detailed, and she was a fun and humorous storyteller. As her health declined, she moved in with her son Steve, his wife Amie, and the grandkids who were blessed to really come to know and help their sweet Grandma. Ryan moved back from Europe to assist with the care of Bonnie and John. There were many sweet moments as our family came together to care for her.

We are grateful for the caregivers who helped make it possible to have Mom stay here at home with us. Her final years were enriched by the friendship of Shannon Burrup (and her husband Brad) who shared lunch and many hours of conversation and laughs. Shona with Home Instead also was a caring friend and major help to Bonnie. Her dear friends Kathy, Wendy, Renae, and Bishop Duke were also bright lights in her life and their visits and kind gifts from the heart always resulted in a big smile!

Mom was preceded in death by her parents and 9 of her dear siblings (Jay, Gary, Dee, Cleo, Joy, Joyce, Carmen, Colleen, and Susan). She is survived by her sons Ryan and Stephen, daughter-in-law Amie and grandchildren Eryn, Ethan, Sophie and Ben, and her siblings RaeDean and Ann and many beloved nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held July 23, 2021, at 10:00 am, at the Willow Creek Stake Building at 2350 E. Creek Road, Sandy, UT. The viewing will be at the same site from 8:30-9:30 am.