While preparing Bonnie’s life story I’ve found that Bonnie has more stories than we have time to share at the Services so I wanted share this part of Bonnie’s life through Gwen’s eyes.
One year during a Primary Program Bonnie saw this redhead from Nutrioso that could sing, but would tease all the girls. That is the first time Bonnie noticed Marlen. It wasn’t until Marlen was a senior that they really became acquainted with each other. They had lockers next to each other. One night they both got stood up for a date and ended up going together. That was the beginning of a beautiful relationship. Gwen said Marlen fancied himself quite the fox with his singing voice.
Marlen graduated at the age of sixteen, and he broke up with Bonnie in a letter. She began going to dances and having a great time. Marlen played at some of the dances at the Arizona Mezona Hall and would sing “Ol’ Lonesome Me” when he saw Bonnie dancing with all these other boys. They later went to a Junior Rodeo in Round Valley, and got back together once again.
He went to College at Arizona State when he was 16, but had his mind on Bonnie the whole time. His professor told him he didn’t think he was old enough for college and suggested hs go home and grow home a little. He came back, and ended up spending more time at Bonnie’s house than anywhere else. They had plans to get married the Christmas of her senior year against Lois’ will. Lois thought it would be a beter idea for Marlen to server a mission, and for Bonnie to go to College for two years until he got back. She even promised Bonnie the green Ford that she loved if she went to school. During Bonnie’s senior year they went to get materials for the Pom Pom uniforms. She went down to the valley and went on a date with Milford Wiltbank to the State Fair. She had such a good time that she broke back up Marlen.
Single once again, Marlen headed back down to the Valley where he got a job and played in a band. He continued to write her and she would visit him when she would go down to the valley. The following April, determined to get his girl, Marlen returned for Bonnie. They began to see each other again. That summer, after Bonnie had graduated they got married June 15th, 1961 in Vernon at the Church. The hardest part was getting Eben to walk her down the eisle. He was determined not to so Eben’s friend Dawn offered to. Eben said, “Awww Shit! I’ll be danged if Dawn will walk my daughter down the eisle. Gwen was Bonnie’s Maid of Honor, and Loy Dean Bigelow and June Leeds were her too bride’s maids. Emery Mangum married them, but told them to pray hard and prepare themselves to marry in the Temple.