Bonnie Marie Nelson Finch  Obituary

Bonnie Marie Finch passed peacefully on Sunday June 7, 2020 in the home of her daughter, Laurie Myers in Sandpoint, Idaho.   Bonnie was born to Ardith Louise Nelson and Wilbur Freeman Nelson on October 20, 1936 in Palmer, Nebraska.

Bonnie lived an adventurous life.  As a child, during the war she moved with her mother and two sisters to Herlong, California, where her mother worked in a muntions processing facility.  From there they moved to Elko, Nevada where she remained until she married Keith Vernon Price and traveled to Alaska with their son Dennis, to homestead.  She spent 30 years on the homestead in Salcha, Alaska raising her family, who soon grew with the addition of Kathleen, and Laurie.  Bonnie was not afraid of hard work, helping to clear the homestead land, and building the family log home.  She truly lived the frontier lifestyle, shooting and processing moose, tending to milk cows, growing a garden to feed her family, canning vegetables, making jams, butter, and our favorite, homemade ice cream.  She was an example of self sufficiency, sewing much of our clothing including winter parkas and mukluks.

Bonnie was always involved in the community through church callings, acting as a 4H leader, the Salcha Homemaker’s Club, and activities within her children’s schools.

Bonnie loved spending time with her children and grand children camping, fishing, and enjoying many outdoor activities.

When Bonnie was in her 40’s she went back to school obtaining her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from the University of Alaska in 1985.  Bonnie worked as a nurse in Safford and Tuscon, Arizona after moving there in 1985.  After living in Arizona for 7 years, Bonnie moved to Payson, Utah and worked at Mountain View Hospital.  She worked at Mountain View on the Med/Surg floor until she retired in 1998.

It was through mutual friends at Mountain View Hospital she met Gerald Finch. They married in the American Fork Temple on July 25, 1997.   Bonnie greatly loved and respected Gerald.  She was excited to return to the farm life and enjoyed tending a garden, looking after the farm cats, and participating in the many family activities.  Bonnie and Gerald were married for 20 years when he passed on October 7, 2017.  Following his passing she went to live with her daughter Laurie Myers, and grandson Riley in Sandpoint, Idaho, where she stayed until her passing from complications related to Alzheimer’s Disease.   Bonnie will be missed by all of her family, but we are grateful she is once again with those she loves, who passed before her, and she is free of the limitations of the mortal body.

Bonnie is survived by her sisters Ardith Cross of Carson City, Nevada, and Cherie Temres of Port Angeles, Washington.  Son Dennis Price and wife Donna of Salcha, Alaska, daughters Kathleen Cross and husband Joel of Eagle, Idaho, and Laurie Myers of Sandpoint, Idaho.  10 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.  From Gerald Finch’s side, she is survived by 10 children including Marianne Tranter, Diane Soffe, Janet Egbert, James Finch, Steven Finch, Alan Finch, Brian Finch, Kathryn Ballard, Douglas Finch, and Kristine Anderson. 54 grandchildren, and many great grandchildren.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her husband Gerald Finch, and mother Ardith Louise Nelson.

A special thank you to all the caregiver’s involved with her over the last 5 years, Allie, Shaylee, Carolyn, Myrna, Avery, and Sandy.  Keeping her at home with family would not have been possible without all of your loving care. Thank you to Bonner General Hospice who assisted with her end of life care and provided support to her family.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2020 at 11 a.m. at the Payson City Cemetery, 400 North 800 East, Payson, Utah. A viewing will be held prior to service from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 587 South 100 West, Payson, Utah.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer’s Association.

*To watch the Facebook live broadcast of the graveside service, please follow the Walker Funeral Home page on Facebook. *