Sonja Nelly Bodon

Our loving Sonja - wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend, passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 26th, 2022, at the home of her son and daughter-in-law in Lehi, Utah. Sonja was born in Biel, Switzerland on February 1st, 1933, the only child of Rene Zbinden and Ida Maurer. Sonja married Harold Bodon in the Salt Lake City temple on August 23rd, 1957, and enjoyed 65 years of wonderful companionship. They welcomed into their family three sons. Peter, Michael, & Tommy who was stillborn. Sonja grew up in Biel and was raised speaking both French and German, while also learning English in an after-school class. Sonja grew up loving music and the theater. At an early age she learned to sing and play the accordion. Young girls like Sonja were not allowed to go to the theater in Switzerland at that time but she would go anyway. She especially loved Shirly Temple movies and wanted to go where Shirley Temple lived. Sonja converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Switzerland about the age of 20 and at the age 22 she moved to the United States to work as a Nanny for a family in Chicago. About a year later she moved to Salt Lake City, Utah and shortly after joined a German band as the singer. Her future husband Harold was in the same band as the accordion player, and he knew right away that she was the girl for him! At a Valentine’s Day dance in 1957 where they were performing, she danced with Harold and she also knew that he was her one and only! Over the years after that they lived a few years in California then a few in Utah while Harold finished up his schooling and then moved to Joplin, Missouri and lived there for the next 25 years. While in Joplin, Sonja worked many years at Dr. Shanahan’s obstetrician’s office and enjoyed that time with her other employees and patients. Sonja also found great joy in serving in her church and served in several capacities wherever she and her family lived. In 1996 Sonja and Harold served together in the newly reopened mission in Haiti for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1996 to 1998. They developed such a great love and appreciation for the people of Haiti and enjoyed many spiritual experiences and have many wonderful memories of their times with the people there. They lived their retirement years in Ivins, Utah where many wonderful times were had with family and friends. Sonja loved singing to ward members on their birthdays and also to each and every family member. For many years, Sonja served as a volunteer at Tuachan Amphitheater in Ivins. She is a loving and compassionate woman who will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. Sonja is survived by her husband, Harold Bodon, son Mike (Amber) and four grandchildren: Carson Bodon (Kiara), Madison Baldwin, Rachel Bodon Reynolds (Spencer), and Eli Baldwin; and great grandchildren: Oaklynn and Everlee Bodon. She is also survived by her half-sister, Laurence. She was preceded in death by her loving parents, Ida and Rene Zbinden, son Peter, son Tommy and grandchild McKelle Baldwin who was truly welcomed in her home. The family is so grateful for all who have befriended and served Sonja or the family in any way. The viewing will be at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 5th, 2023, at the Padre Canyon Building, 625 E. Center St., Ivins, UT 84738. A celebration of her life will follow at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel. Interment will be at the Ivins City Cemetery, 200 West and 400 North in Ivins, Utah. To send flowers or a gift to the family of Sonja Bodon please visit the mortuary Sympathy Store.

Sonja Nelly Bodon

February 1, 1933 - December 26, 2022