Bonnie Jo Thomason, age 67, passed away at her home with her family surrounding her, in Rexburg Idaho on May 31, 2014 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

She was born March 14, 1947 in Rigby Idaho to Connald and Marion Hymas Carlsen, where she grew up on a farm and learned the value of hard work, the love of music, the arts, and great literature. Tragedy struck her family in 1960 when her mother was killed in an automobile accident. Later her father married Ardath Jensen and moved to Rexburg where her family blended and grew with six new siblings.

Bonnie met her future husband in Rexburg, and married Warren Thomason in 1966, and was blessed with five boys. First living in Rigby Idaho, and then moving their family to Rexburg, on a corner lot belonging to Warren's father Charles Thomason. Bonnie was a devoted wife and mother and loved being with her family hiking, camping, biking, and white-water rafting and enjoying God's pristine wilderness areas of Idaho.

In 1986 Bonnie enrolled in school and finished her degree and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelors of Science degree in Education from BYU. She felt graduating from college was one of her greatest accomplishments, and her passion for the past 27 years has been teaching fifth graders.

One of her greatest joys in life was her 17 grandchildren. She loved, adored and cherished each one. Her desire was to not miss out on any part of their lives. This is what helped sustain her through the last months of her life.

She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served in scouting for 20 years, as Primary President, Young Women's President, Relief Society President, served on campus at BYU-Idaho in the Relief Society Presidency, Family History consultants and in many other callings.

She is survived by her husband, Wilford Warren Thomason of Rexburg and her sons and their wives; Michael and Brittany Thomason of Blackfoot, Jason and Allison Thomason of Sugar City, James and Nichole Thomason of Rexburg, Colby and Denise Thomason of Rigby and Christopher and Meredith Thomason of Boise, her siblings and spouses; Dennis Carlsen of Grass Valley, CA, Paul and Rosalee Jensen of Pocatello, Beverly and Neil Taylor of Menan, Sonja Thomason of Rexburg, Barbara and Jon Goss of Rexburg, Kerry and Maylin Carlsen of Boise, Annette and Jim Spaulding of Twin Falls, Elaine and Jeff Fluckiger of Rexburg, Gaylen and Lisa Jensen of Rexburg. Also surviving are 17 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents Connald and Marion Carlsen.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 6, 2014 at the Rexburg Stake Center (845 West 7th South) . The family will receive friends on Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Flamm Funeral Home in Rexburg and Friday at the stake center from 9:30 to 10:40 a.m. prior to services. Interment will be in the Burton Cemetery.