Bonnie Jean Ross Cook

Bonnie Jean Ross Cook (AKA Calamity Jane), wife, sunshine, and angel of Ronald Sheldon Cook, passed away on May 11, 2026, after a fourteen-year struggle with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Bonnie was born September 10, 1942, in Lehi, Utah, to Athol Daniel and Ferl Elma Hunter Ross. Bonnie was just two months old when her father left to participate in the Second World War. After living with her mother alone for two years, she was very suspicious of the man who returned to share her mother's affections; but the two later developed an unbreakable bond.

Bonnie was soon joined by two younger sisters, Jerry LaNae (Roberts) and Marla Kay (Taylor). The three spent their childhoods on East Lane, in the shadow of the old American Fork High on the hill, "inventing" night games with the 8th ward gang of girlfriends. When she was eight, her mother made her a rabbit costume to wear on a float in the Easter parade, and Bonnie was later baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in that costume. She wholly loved the gospel and was one of a small handful of young women in the church to earn the Seven-Year Medallion. This award recognized her earning the seven individual yearly awards and every other award available on the MIA schedule.

Bonnie was a member of the first class that graduated from the new American Fork High School on 600 East. As a member of the first cheerleading squad, she helped to rewrite the last verse of the school song. "We get the pep, we get the thrill, from AF High School on the hill!" became "We sing our praises to the sky; we'll always fight for AF High!" Bonnie has never stopped being a cheerleader.

On the front porch of her parents' home, during her senior year of high school, she changed the course of her boyfriend's life by giving him a set of scriptures and informing him that she was going to marry a returned missionary. While Ron served six months on active duty with the Utah National Guard and two-and-a-half years as a missionary, Bonnie attended BYU and worked as an administrative assistant at United States Steel. She wrote him an encouraging letter every week. Ten days after Ron returned from his mission, Bonnie accepted his proposal, and they were married seven weeks later. She lacked one semester of coursework to graduate with a four-year degree in Business Education, but preferred instead to raise a family.

Bonnie and Ron spent seven of their almost sixty-two years of marriage in Seattle, Washington, where Bonnie's fluency in short hand assisted her in serving as secretary for the stake patriarch. For the last twenty years of her life, she served in this calling again, this time with a computer and for her eternal beloved.

When they returned to Utah, the couple made their home in American Fork, where Bonnie built a life of service to her family, her neighbors, and her community. Bonnie laid her life on the altar of Abraham eight times and was able to raise five daughters and a son of God: Robin (Regan) Hansen, Raelynn (Matt) McCleary, Rhonda (Reed) Bromley, Raquel Cook, Boyd Daniel Cook, and Rebecca (Shane) Wilson. She is loved by 23 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren, and she's now getting to know three little angels that will be making their appearance soon. She also raised several foster children and all of her children's friends.

Bonnie served in ward and stake callings in the Young Women and Relief Society, she was a staple member of the PTA, and she'll always be remembered as the Forbes Elementary School Safety Bug. She kept the Yogurt Parlor in business, delivering frozen yogurt cookies to anyone she felt needed one, and was always the first to welcome a new neighbor or baby. Bonnie's home was the gathering place for friends, friends-of-friends, and family; and the hideout for grandkids skipping school.

Bonnie was sassy and kind, and we miss her fiercely. We offer a special thanks to the hospice nurse and aides, family, friends, and church ministers who have been so helpful, particularly during her final struggle to cross the veil.

"She was my wings. She lifted me higher than I deserved or earned. She was the help meet the Lord knew I needed." - Ronald Cook

Bonnie's viewing will be on Monday, May 18, from 6-8 PM at Anderson and Sons Mortuary in American Fork. A second, brief viewing will be held prior to the funeral on Tuesday, May 19, from 9:45 to 10:45 AM in the American Fork East Stake Center, 825 East 500 North. We will celebrate and share her life at 11:00.