Darrell Larsen Bodrero

Darrell Larsen Bodrero, devoted husband, father and grandfather, returned with honor to his Father in Heaven, on Thursday, September 5, 2013 at the age of 87. He was attended to and surrounded by his loving family.

Darrell was born in Logan, Utah on December 27, 1925 to John George and Kate Larsen Bodrero. The family moved to Wellsville when he was one year old, where he grew up on a farm, worked hard, and had his share of adventures. He attended school in Wellsville and at South Cache High School.

He met the love of his life, Theone Chapman, at the Logan Roller Rink. After they skated, he walked her home, and one year later they were married on June 26, 1945. Darrell and Theone were sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple for time and all eternity on their first anniversary.

The first two years of their married life, they lived in Ogden, Utah, after which they returned home to Cache Valley. They lived in Logan for a few years and moved to Providence in 1953.

Dad spent all of his working life fixing anything and everything. He held many jobs including maintenance supervisor at Thiokol Track Master and Wurlitzer. He retired as Public Works Director for Providence City in 1990.

Dad and Mon started helping Grandpa Chapman at the Christmas Tree lot in the early 1950’s and continued the tradition every Christmas season until 1994. Dad was the Christmas Tree expert. All of his children and grandchildren have wonderful memories of working with Grandma and Grandpa at the Christmas Tree lot.

Dad had many joys in life. Every year he grew a wonderful garden, sharing his bountiful harvest with everyone he knew. He and Mom belonged to the Good Timers travel club, spending countless hours camping and playing games with their friends. Dad loved the great outdoors, from snowmobiling to hiking, and most of all fishing with his friends, children, and grandchildren. Dad’s greatest joy was his family. One of his proudest moments was this past Christmas Season where all 96 members of his family made it to the annual Christmas Party.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was very important to Dad, he severed diligently in every position to which he was called. He held many positions including, Elder’s Quorum President, High Priest Group Leader, Scout Committee Chairman, but his favorite calling was that of Home Teacher. He had a true testimony of the home teaching program. One of Dad’s life long goals was to serve a mission for the church. After his retirement, he and Mom served diligently in the Jackson Mississippi Mission where they impacted numerous lives and made lifelong friends. Dad loved going to the Temple, attending twice a week until his health prevented him from doing so. Dad mentioned often how much he missed going to the Temple.

After his retirement each January Dad and Mom would head to St. George for the winter. They continued this tradition for many years. Spending time with friends, exploring the area, doing Temple work, taking field trips to Mesquite and Mexico, and enjoying being together.

Dad was always there to provide service for his family and friends. Helping all of us, including building houses, mowing lawns, fixing sprinkler systems, diagnosing and fixing electrical problems, and anything else anyone needed help with. If you had a problem Grandpa would fix it without complaint.

Dad’s last entry in his journal was written at the age of 82, the last line read “I love my wife and my family, my life very much and our Father in Heaven. God Bless you until I write again.”

Dad is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 68 years Theone Chapman Bodrero, his beloved children, Linda Janes (Dean) of Providence, Eva Kay Beck (Marvin) of Ovid, Idaho, NaDean Ballard (Gary) of Nibley, Douglas (Viola) of St. George, Richard (Sharon) of Nibley, and Eudora Nettles (Robert) of Millville, 23 grandchildren, 43 great grandchildren with two on the way. He is also survived by his sisters, Louise Luddington (Lyle), Elaine Parker, Joyce Hammer (Delone), and Marlene Coombs (Douglas), and brother Larry (Judy) and numerous nieces and nephews.

Dad was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Glen, Arden, and Jackie, and his sister Leah Wanczyk, along with numerous friends and relatives.

The family would like to extend deep appreciation to the caring nurses and aides of IHC Hospice who attended to Dad during the last few weeks of his life, allowing him to stay in the home he loved. He also truly appreciated the Aaronic Priesthood young men of the Providence 3rd Ward who faithfully brought the sacrament to him each week.

Dad’s legacy truly lives on in all of us. 2nd Timothy 4:7 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

Funeral services will be held at noon, Monday, September 9 in the chapel located at 309 South Main, Providence, Utah. A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Sunday, September 8 at Allen Hall Mortuary, 34 East Center Street in Logan, and Monday 10 to 11:30 a.m. prior to the funeral services at the church. Internment will be in Providence City cemetery.