Dawn Gunnell Perkins

1938 – 2023

Dawn Gunnell Perkins, age 85, passed away on April 3, 2023, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Dawn was born on March 1, 1938, in Logan, Utah, to Joshua B. and Hazel Heninger Gunnell. She grew up in Logan as the youngest of eight children. Her mother passed away when she was just 13 years old, and Dawn cherished her example and teachings. She dearly loved her family, and she remained close to her brothers and sisters throughout her life.

Dawn married Larry V. Perkins on March 20, 1959, in the Logan LDS Temple. They were happily married for 58 years before Larry’s passing in 2017. They have six children and raised their family in Boise, Idaho; Rexburg, Idaho; and Orem, Utah. Dawn’s most important accomplishments were as a wife and mother. She was adept at creating a beautiful home where her husband and children felt safe and loved.

Dawn was multi-talented and used her gifts to serve others. Her hand-embroidered dish towels have brought joy to women all over the world, including England, Honduras, the United States, and Mexico. She worked on her embroidery until the day before she died. She also leaves behind a legacy of personal and family histories, and many photo albums with handwritten notations. She put great effort into gathering family history photos, compiling ancestor stories, and writing her personal history.

She was committed to living her testimony and was a valiant member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She had many callings in the Church, including as stake Relief Society president in the Orem Windsor LDS Stake, and as a temple ordinance worker in the Mount Timpanogos Temple, and was so proud to have served with Larry as full-time missionaries in the Pennsylvania Harrisburg Mission from 2000-2002. She was secure in her knowledge that her service as a missionary would bless her family for generations. She was a true example of deep faith in Jesus Christ.

Dawn is survived by her six children: JoLyn Day (David), Greg Perkins (Kim), Doug Perkins (Jenny), Jenny Jacobsen (Mike), Robert Perkins (Rhonda), Jill Perkins; 24 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren; as well as her sister, Gaye Freeman, and her brother, Gordon Gunnell. We know she is enjoying a magnificent reunion in heaven with many dear ones, especially her husband, her mother and father, and her siblings who went before her.

Dawn’s family is so grateful to the many special people at Legacy Village Assisted Living Center and Intermountain Hospice for their kindness and loving care.

The family will receive family and friends on Thursday, April 6, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at the Walker Sanderson Funeral Home (646 East 800 North, Orem). The funeral will be held at the Northridge 4th Ward Chapel, (Steeple Chase Chapel) at 1780 N. 165 East, Orem on Friday, April 7, 2023, at 11:00 am, preceded by a viewing from 9:30 to 10:30 am. Condolences may be offered online at www.walkersanderson.com with a webcast of the funeral available at the same location. Interment will be in the Orem City Cemetery.