Maralyn K Bunderson
Maralyn K Bunderson Bingham, 94, passed away peacefully, Feb. 21, 2024, in Meridian, Idaho. Maralyn was born Oct. 9, 1929 in St. Charles, Idaho, the second child of Nephi Bunderson and Iola Annie Keetch.
Maralyn had seven older siblings – Lester, Vidella, Hazel, Eva, Lee, Arden and Mark from her father's earlier marriage to Annie Floyd, who died after childbirth. Nephi and Iola’s children included an older sister, Afton, and two younger brothers, Whitney and Lyman.
Maralyn always loved the Bear Lake Valley. She grew up surrounded by her extended family and lived close to the creek, the mountains and the everchanging lake. She graduated from Fielding High in Paris, Idaho in 1947.
At Utah State Agricultural College, Marriner Farley Bingham stalled his father’s Buick when Maralyn darted in front of the car. Their relationship quickly developed. They were married in the Logan Utah Temple 12 days after he completed his mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Maralyn graduated in 1951 with a bachelor’s degree in child development and elementary education. She was an Aggie for life – with a special fondness for Aggie Lemon Custard Ice Cream.
In 1953, the family moved to Seattle for Marriner to attend dental school at the University of Washington. They returned to Marriner’s hometown each summer where Maralyn cared for the family, read stories to nieces and nephews under the trees and bottled fruit and vegetables to use during the fall and winter.
In 1957 Maralyn and Marriner moved to Nampa, Idaho where they started a new dental practice. Maralyn’s family was her primary focus, greatest challenge and ultimate joy. She meticulously planned long-term projects and detailed tasks. Second to her love of family was her love of anything chocolate.
Maralyn provided dental education in local schools, served in the Idaho State Dental Association Auxiliary and assisted with Lincoln Elementary activities.
Maralyn served in multiple ward and stake positions in the Church. She served in the ward Primary presidency as well as secretary and instructor, in the stake Relief Society as secretary and board member for mother education and personal finance and as a ward Relief Society president. Maralyn and Marriner also served at the Boise Idaho Temple for more than nine years.
Maralyn loved a clean and orderly home. Everything had a place. Not only did she have a detailed list of every cleaning chore that she meticulously followed, but her children had chore lists for Saturday mornings.
She loved her flower gardens. A walk in the yard always included a tour of the gardens and pulling a few stray weeds. Maralyn anticipated the bloom of each new plant every spring and summer. She enjoyed roses, coleus, tulips, geraniums, iris, peonies and Easter lilies.
Maralyn and Marriner grew a large vegetable garden that provided an abundance for family and friends. The family ate from the garden during the summer and Maralyn canned fruit and vegetables. She also enjoyed giving garden surplus to neighbors and friends.
She loved to be in the mountains – including sourdough pancake breakfasts, fried chicken lunches and felled trees imagined as horses.
Maralyn is survived by her five children: Lyle Bingham (Katrina Taggart), Ann (Renn) Yorgason, Keith (Debbie) Bingham, Warren Bingham, Karna (Eric) Hirschmann, 15 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. She is survived by her older sister and best friend, Afton Farrow. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and other siblings. The family thanks Dr. Michael Dee, caring nurses, aides and therapists at Aspen Rehabilitation and Spring Creek Assisted Living in Meridian.
Live streaming of the services were provided by InMemorial.us and viewed by dozens of families across the United States.