Marilyn Garner

Marilyn Blackham Garner was born in Moroni, Utah on May 16, 1945. Marilyn passed away unexpectedly on December 7, 2022. Marilyn was born to Jay & Lois Blackham. Marilyn was the second child of three girls. She loved growing up in Sanpete county on the family farm, raising animals and riding horses. She loved her small hometown and returned often to visit her parents and family and the community. She was a Sanpete County girl through and through and never forgot her roots. 
Marilyn attended Utah State University where she received her Bachelor's degree in education. Marilyn later continued her education by receiving her Master's degree in educational counseling at the University of Phoenix. These degrees allowed Marilyn to have a long educational career both as a teacher of Home Economics at South Davis Jr. High and Bountiful High and as an Education Counselor in the Davis County School District. She thrived in both positions and she loved working with children and seeing the smiling faces of her students and they loved her. Her students would often see her in public places and run to give her a hug. Through the years, following her retirement, she would often recognize her past students and took great pride knowing their names and faces and in being part of their lives and their education and shared these memories often. 
Marilyn married John Wayne Baker in 1968 and lived in Bountiful where they had their first child, Darrin. They later moved into their first home in Farmington, Utah where Jared and Merilee were born. Marilyn was an amazing mother and took care of her children and temporarily left her career to raise her children and care for their home. Several years later the family moved to West Bountiful where Jeffrey was born. Marilyn, later became a single mother raising her four children on her own.
Marilyn eventually met and married the love of her life, Ronald Garner. They met at a single adult church activity and discovered they lived seven houses away from each other and their children were good friends with each other and attended school together. They dated for many years before marrying in July 1990. They were married for just over one year when Ron passed away due to cancer. Ron brought a lot of happiness and adventure back into her life as they traveled and explored many destinations together. Marilyn was later sealed to Ron in the Salt Lake Temple for time and all eternity. They had a beautiful relationship and deep love for each other in blessing each other's lives. 
Marilyn was very selfless and service oriented and always willing to help those in need. Her children and grandchildren always came first and were the most "prized" and important people to her in her life. She was a big supporter and cheer leader of her kids and grandchildren in their active lives of sports and various activities. She referred to her grandchildren as her "Precious Moments" and always said they were so precious to her. Through these terms of endearment, she became known as "Grandma Precious." 
Marilyn was a dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She loved the Lord and had a strong testimony of the gospel throughout her life. It was her "true north" and she followed her Savior and his teachings, diligently. She read the Book of Mormon often and took long notes at church services and conference talks. She raised her children in the gospel and instilled in them the importance of having a relationship with their Heavenly Father and knowing families were eternal and most important. Marilyn had several church callings, but her most rewarding calling was as Relief Society President. She loved assisting and serving the women and families in the ward and put tireless time and dedication into this calling. 
In 2014, Marilyn suffered a brain aneurysm that almost took her life and impaired her short-term memory. Marilyn struggled with her memory loss, but continued living alone and being very independent. Marilyn loved her weekly family dinners and looked for any reason to have family get-togethers and be with her friends, who she cherished. 
As Marilyn's memory loss continued to decline, she was moved to a senior living center at Creekside Senior Living, where she could be better cared for and still be close to her home and ward family. There were many times the staff and other residents would be found gathered around her sharing memories and experiences with her. She also found connections with some of her former students' children who worked at the center. Mom was very creative and loved new arts and crafts projects. She was also very social and loved to talk and help people especially if it had anything to do with sewing or cooking.
Marilyn was an amazing mother, grandma, sister, friend and truest example of unconditional love in constant action with everyone around her. There is a hole in our hearts with her passing and she will be missed dearly every day. We are at peace knowing that her mind and body are whole again and knowing she is having a beautiful reunion with her Heavenly Father, husband and parents.
Marilyn is preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Garner and her parents Jay & Lois Blackham. She is survived by her two sisters, Loyann Rose and Karla Bench, son Darrin (Anne) Baker, son Jared (Tricia) Baker, daughter Merilee (Ryan) Coons, son Jeff Baker, 18 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
We would like to thank Creekside Senior Living for the love, care and kindness Marilyn received while in their care. We would also like to thank Russon Mortuary for the kindness and guidance throughout the funeral planning process. 
Marilyn's funeral services will be held Friday December 16, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the West Bountiful 2nd ward meeting house, 840 N. 800 West, West Bountiful, with a viewing that morning from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. A viewing will also be the night before on Thursday the 15th at the Russon Mortuary, 295 N. Main St., Bountiful from 6-8pm. Burial will be at the Hooper City Cemetery, next to her eternal companion, Ronald Garner
Services will also be streamed live on the Russon Brothers Facebook page and this obituary page. The live stream will begin 15 minutes prior to start time.