Darlene Broomhead Benard

Darlene Broomhead Benard (92) could not wait another minute to rush back into the arms of her sweetheart, Bud, whom she lost three short months ago. She passed away on August 19, 2023 in Layton, Utah, surrounded by loved ones. We are confident that beyond the veil, many other loved ones were there greeting her with open arms.

Thelma Darlene Broomhead was born on January 1, 1931 to Marion Streator and Velma (Thelma) Yates Broomhead. Not only did she bring in a new year, but surely her arrival helped to mend her parents' shattered hearts as her older brother Keith had died as a toddler. She has waited her whole life to meet this precious brother of hers. No doubt the reunion with her parents and Keith has been incredibly sweet. 

Darlene grew up a sophisticated city girl in Salt Lake City where she graduated from Granite High School in 1948. She worked for the Utah State Health Department, both at the Capitol Building and downtown. She was a top-notch typist who was also skilled in shorthand. 

While still in high school, she met a handsome farm boy and World War II Veteran who stole her heart. Theodore Bud Benard was from Bountiful (previously from Payson) and they met on a blind date. They married one and a half years later on September 30, 1949, and were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on June 19, 1950. They loved many activities together like dancing on Friday nights (usually with Bud's brother Lee and his wife Joyce), sporting events of all kinds and traveling. Although they desired to start a family, it took a few years so they continued working and enjoying life together with their hunting dog Duke.

After five years of marriage, they welcomed their first of three daughters to their family, followed by three sons. Darlene cashed out her State of Utah retirement to buy property in Bountiful and they built their first and only home---a home in which they lived for 67 of their 73 and a half years of marriage. They raised their children there and welcomed many grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well. Their home was always a gathering place, and their posterity cherishes memories of hundreds of birthday parties, game nights and holiday celebrations there.

While raising their family, Darlene was always serving others in the community and church offices and callings. As a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she enjoyed serving as Stake Primary President, ward Young Women President, ward Relief Society President, Bountiful Legacy House branch Relief Society, the Bountiful Temple office, and many, many other callings. One of her very favorites was being a cub scout leader for her sons. She served in many positions including PTA president, Secretary/Treasurer for the Utah Rifle & Pistol Association, Secretary of the Bountiful Baseball Association, Election official, Festival of Trees committee, many positions in the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, etc. She did all of these things joyfully while not missing a myriad of activities that her six children were involved in from music and theater to sports and dancing. The way she coordinated being everywhere for everyone was truly masterful.

Darlene also enjoyed many activities herself. She loved being on the ski hill with her children and grandchildren. She was a great ski buddy. She also loved boating and waterskiing, which she did as long as her strength allowed. She was very disappointed when she could no longer slalom ski. She always had walking groups and loved her daily walks with friends, which just weeks ago she was able to resume. She loved playing afternoon card games with the ladies in the neighborhood. As her family traveled the country every summer for Bud's shooting matches, she took her kids to roller coaster and water parks across the country, major league baseball games and historical locations. She loved swimming and snorkeling. Darlene also has a beautiful singing voice and shared it in numerous choirs and performances.

Darlene was a beautiful seamstress. She made school clothing every year for all of her children, and swim suits, shorts and play clothes for summer activities. She also made prom dresses, boys' suits, graduation dresses and wedding dresses. She knitted and crocheted for many years, making numerous sweaters, afghans, hot pads, wash rags etc. She took up counted cross-stitch and stitched Christmas ornaments yearly for her entire extended family. She also cross-stitched bear pictures for every grandchild and great grandchild with their birth statistics. She was currently working on two more. Darlene was also a beautiful quilter, which she really enjoyed doing with the "Study Group" ladies and women at church. Every child and grandchild have received a hand-quilted quilt stitched with love, as well as a tied quilt when graduating from high school and going to college.

Until a life-threatening bout of pneumonia four years ago, followed by the Covid pandemic the next year made them less frequent, Darlene planned and hosted monthly extended-family birthday celebrations, as well as Christmas Eve dinners, carrying on a tradition started by her own parents. One of the biggest events of the year that everyone looks forward to is the annual New Year's Day brunch to celebrate this wonderful woman's birthday.

Darlene also modeled charity in a very Christlike way. She cared for her mother-in-law for years as she declined in health, moving her into our home for periods of time. She helped her father care for her own mother as she struggled with a lifetime of health challenges after losing her child, and then as she declined and died from Alzheimer's. During that time, she also cared for her own grandmother, because her mom could not, until she passed at age 102. She continued her ministering with her own father until he passed at age 100. At the same time, she served her family, neighbors and friends in many other ways-all the while somehow never missing an event or game of any of her posterity. She is a remarkable likeness of our Savior who taught us all by His example.

Darlene and Bud traveled the world together, visiting every continent except Antarctica. They loved traveling with family, friends, and the "Study Group." There was never a location that Darlene didn't want to explore at least once. She was currently planning the next extended family adventure back to the Oregon coast. We have many cherished memories of traveling together as a family, which began in our childhood with our cross country trips every summer for dad's shooting competitions.

Darlene is survived by her beloved children - Linda (Bert) Barnes Whipple, Karen Hart, Julie (Russ) Randle, Blaine (Kellie) Benard, Brad (Cayla) Benard, Bryan (Monique) Benard, Kaye Benard; 28 grandchildren and 45 great-grandchildren (including a special one on the way); brother Gordon (Grace) Broomhead, sisters-in-law Joyce (Lynn-deceased) Benard and Helene (Ray-deceased) Benard Clark-Brown; She was preceded in death by her sweetheart Bud, her parents and brother, Keith; and son-in-law Fred G Barnes.  

Our family would like to express gratitude for the wonderful and friendly staff at Abbington and the tender care received from them and Inspiration Hospice.  

Services will be at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, August 24 at the Bountiful 31st Ward Chapel, 585 East Center Street, Bountiful, where a viewing will be held from 12-1:30 p.m. prior to services. Interment will follow at Memorial Estates, 1640 East Lakeview Drive, Bountiful, Utah. 

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will start 10-15 minutes prior to the services and will be posted below.