Rhea Bowen Bylund

Rhea Bowen Bylund, 93, of Logan passed away peacefully on May 24, 2013 surrounded by her loving family due to complications from a stroke. Rhea was born March 22, 1920 in Spanish Fork, UT the second of four children and raised there by her parents, Arthur and Annie Veloia Hunsaker Bowen. Rhea had a happy childhood and spent many carefree summers on her grandparents farm riding horses, gathering eggs, herding cows and swinging from trees with her siblings and cousins. She developed a love of books at a young age and carried this with her for the rest of her life. She was most often found with a child or two on her knee reading books. She graduated from Spanish Fork High school and LDS Business College. She worked as a stenographer and clerk.

While on a road trip to California, she met her true love, H. Bruce Bylund. They were married on June 7, 1944 in the Manti LDS temple. At her passing they had been married for nearly 69 years. Immediately after their marriage they left for Sanford Florida where Bruce was stationed as a World War II Naval flight instructor. While in Florida they started their family of eight children which includes two daughters and six sons. They also lived in Provo, Utah and State College, Pennsylvania before settling in Logan.
Rhea cared intensely about her large family that includes 38 grandchildren and 74 great grandchildren. She could name every one of them, where they were and what they were doing. Rhea encouraged all of her children and grandchildren to get a good education. She exemplified that commitment while still raising her younger children and earned a Masters of Education degree at Utah State University at the age of 51. In 1995 she was recognized by Utah State University as a Cache Valley Over 65 Woman of Achievement. She taught second grade at Bunderson Elementary school in Brigham City for 17 years where her students felt of her love and commitment.

Rhea was an active and enthusiastic member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and spent the past 49 years as a member of the Logan 8th Ward. She held many positions in the church in Relief Society, Sunday School, and Primary. Rhea's values were strong and her testimony was unfailing. Soon after retirement she and Bruce left on a mission to Sydney, Australia where they served the Lord faithfully and energetically. They came home from their mission with many lifelong friends from Down Under. Rhea was proud of her Mormon pioneer heritage and was active for many years in the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.
She was a loving mother, a trusted friend, a loyal companion, a dedicated teacher, and an example to all. She will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and a sister. She is survived by her husband, Bruce, her eight children, Judith (Jim) Phillips, of Birmingham, AL; David (Elaine) of Lehi, UT; Bob (Pam) of Morehead, KY; Debbi (Brad) Anderson of Orem, UT; Mike (Cindy) of Sandy, UT; Bill (Laurie) of South Jordan, UT; Steve (Kathy) of Boise, ID; and Jim (Kellie) of Logan, UT., 38 grandchildren and 74 (with five more to soon follow) great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at 12:00 noon with a viewing held before the services from 10:00 to 11:30 at the Logan 8th Ward Chapel located at 325 Lauralin Drive in Logan.