Dorothy Price Bronson

Dorothy Price Bronson passed away September 12, 2025, of natural causes at the age of 97. She was born July 21, 1928, in Hannibal, Missouri, the oldest of three daughters born to Glenn and Ruby Price. Dorothy loved her humble beginnings in Hannibal, the home of Mark Twain and the famous Mark Twain caves. She recalled spending many hours in the caves as a teen and even recalled at one point being very lost in the caves. Her grandfather grew up with Samuel Clements, and they played together as children.

Part of her childhood included living on a family farm. Her great love of the landscape, trees, ferns, produce and in particular berries of every variety had its origin on the farm. Dorothy’s Mother became acquainted with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through the full-time missionaries. In time, her family converted to the Gospel, and Dorothy, at the age of 12, was baptized in the muddy Mississippi River. Dorothy was a healthy and physically active girl and excelled at basketball. She played for Tildon High and won the State championship. At age 70, she could still play a respectably game of tennis.

As a young woman excited about her faith, Dorothy chose to serve a mission for the LDS Church. She was assigned to serve in the Southern States Mission, including Texas and Louisiana. Eventually, Dorothy moved to California to be near her sister Loretta. Dorothy took a job as an LPN working for Dr. Ranker, who was the doctor for the LDS missionaries in the Northern California area.

At the time, Ray Bronson was serving there as a missionary. At the conclusion of his mission, he remembered the beautiful blond nurse who had treated him in Dr Ranker’s office, and he asked her for a date. The rest is history. Ray was the love of Dorothy’s life and the center of her world from then on. They married on Oct 25, 1957, in Salt Lake City, Utah. As an interesting side note, she and her two sisters were all married that same day in the Salt Lake Temple.

Dorothy was a very talented woman. She excelled at art, homemaking, cooking, decorating, and sewing. And she loved to dance. She and Ray were excellent ballroom dancers and participated in the churchwide dance festival. Later in life, they became accomplished square dancers and joined the Rainbow Squares performing group.

Dorothy and Ray had two children, Colleen and Glenn. Both Ray and Dorothy worked together on everything they did. When Ray was a real-estate broker, she also got her real-estate license. When they built their dream home, they built it together. She always referred to her home as her white castle on the hill. They lived in that home in Val Verda, Utah, for all but the first few years of their marriage.

Together they also served two senior missions for the LDS church – a proselyting mission in Cabanatuan, Philippines, and a temple mission in Nauvoo, Illinois. Dorothy served in every auxiliary capacity of the church in both stake and ward callings. She served as Relief Society president (several times), as young women’s president, and stake young women’s president.

She and Ray were also an active part of the Davis County community and served as chairpersons for the Days of ‘47 Celebration. Dorothy served several times as the president of the Altiora Literary Club of Bountiful, which she greatly enjoyed. She and her sweetheart also served for 21 years in the Bountiful, Utah, temple.

Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents, Glenn and Ruby Price; her two sisters and their husbands, Loretta (David) Mehr and Norma (Tom) Wilson; and by her three brothers-in-law and their wives, Rex and Helen Bronson, Boyd and Marjorie Bronson, and Hugh and Gay Bronson.

Dorothy is survived by her two children, Collen Cole (Shane) and Glenn Bronson (Sherry McKechnie); 9 grandchildren, Spencer, Rachel (Skylar Walker), Grant and Mary Jane Cole, and Morgan, Matthew (Emilie Clark), Emma (Andrew Driggs), Tanner and Grace Bronson. Dorothy and Ray were also blessed with 4 great-grandchildren, Benson, Eliza, Emma, and McKay Walker.

Dorothy seemed to be joined at the hip as well as the heart with Ray. She never wanted to be apart from him for even a minute. Ray passed away on August 8, 2025. Although she handled it far better than expected, not a day passed that she didn’t remind us that Ray was coming to get her, soon. She was right. They were separated by death for only 35 days. One can only imagine what a happy reunion took place with her family and her sweetheart Ray.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 3350 South 100 East, Bountiful, Utah, where a viewing will take place from 9:30–10:45 a.m. prior to services.

A live stream will be provided by the church at this link: https://zoom.us/j/91868860798