Renella Bluemel

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our beloved mother Renella Bluemel. Mom died June 26, 2024, at the home of her daughter in Mountain View, Wyoming, after a lengthy illness. She was 93.

Renella was born March 1, 1931, to Keith and Leatha (Eardley) Maxfield in Murray, Utah. Mom was the third of nine children and spent her youth on a small dairy farm east of Lyman. Growing up Renella gathered eggs, milked cows and helped with her younger siblings. 

Renella graduated from Lyman High School where she met her sweetheart Vernon Bluemel. She has recounted their courtship as love at first sight; and a love we have witnessed as strong and enduring for many decades. They were married November 6, 1949, in Lyman, Wyoming. Their marriage was later sealed in the Logan Utah Temple. Early years of marriage saw this fun and busy couple seeking opportunities for work in many locations. Time took them to Evanston, Wyoming; Kamas, Utah; California; and Eden Valley, Wyoming. Vernon and Renella finally settled in the place of their birth, Lyman, Wyoming. They worked side by side and built a successful concrete business. 

Mom and dad played as hard as they worked! This couple loved to dance and many an evening was spent on the dance floor. Fishing, camping, hunting and enjoying the outdoors was always on the menu.

This union produced four children: Glenna (Mick) Powers of Lyman; Dick (Eva) Bluemel of Mesquite, Nevada; Kelly Bonner of Mountain View, Wyoming and Darren (Gina) of Brigham City, Utah; 15 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild with two on the way.

Family was everything to Mom. Her love for her sisters was a great source of happiness in her later years; these elderly sisters would laugh like schoolgirls when together! Mom’s natural abilities as homemaker and mother were rewarding for her and she excelled in those roles. Renella spent countless hours on beautiful handwork that can be found in each of her children’s homes. The beautiful cross-stitch Christmas stockings that each great-grandchild received on their first Christmas are masterpieces! Mom loved to garden and many a delicious meal was served at her table. 

Mom was preceded in death by her husband Vernon; her parents Keith and Leatha Maxfield; five brothers: Lawrence, Rulan, John, Everett, Brent and sister Beth. Renella was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She served in many callings throughout the years. Mom loved life; she did not fear death! Her humility, gratitude, courage and unshakable faith are qualities her posterity can follow for generations.