Marilyn Bauer Jeppson

July 21, 1947 – August 24, 2025

Our sweet mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, Marilyn Bauer Jeppson, returned peacefully to her Heavenly Father on Sunday, August 24, 2025, at the age of 78. She passed on a beautiful Sunday afternoon surrounded by love, leaving behind a legacy of faith, creativity, laughter, and kindness.

Marilyn was born July 21, 1947, in Cedar City, Utah, the second of four children to Keith Hunter and Mary Cleo (Hardy) Bauer. She grew up in Spanish Fork, where she developed a love of art and reading. As a young woman, she had the opportunity to study art in Paris, France, and she went on to become a gifted oil painter, leaving behind beautiful works that will keep her memory alive for generations. Marilyn was color-blind, making her beautifully colored paintings all the more impressive and incredible.

On June 28, 1968, Marilyn married the love of her life, Arlan Louis "Pete" Jeppson. They were later sealed in the Manti LDS Temple on February 16, 1977. Together they raised seven children—Michael, Alicia, Matthew, Sara, Aaron, Eliza, and Leah—and built a home centered on faith, family, and love. She faithfully supported Pete throughout his military career, moving their family across Alaska, Washington, and California before settling permanently in Provo.

Marilyn had many passions and talents. Over the years she cultivated skills as an artist, seamstress, gardener, baker, quilter, crafter, and book editor. She loved books above all—whether running her Provo bookstore, Buy The Book, with her dear friend Susan Jackson, or working for many years in the library at Wasatch Elementary and as church librarian in her ward. She was always reading, often telling her children, "Just let me finish this part."

Marilyn loved the colors yellow and blue, the mountains, daisies, butterflies, and the Spring. Her self-given title was "the butterfly granny." Fittingly, too, because she was a social butterfly, and always enjoyed gathering with family, friends, neighbors, and her cherished "book ladies." Her quick wit and playful humor—"I'm not weird, I'm fun!"—brought joy wherever she went. She was the heart of every gathering, making holidays and camping trips magical with her gift for planning, her thoughtfulness, and her endless creativity.

Her greatest joy was her family. She was devoted to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and her compassion, optimism, and unconditional love made each of them feel uniquely cherished. She was a steady light and a source of strength to all who knew her.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Pete; her parents; her siblings: Alan (Sandy), Steven (Jolene), and Carol (Robert); and many dear in-laws and extended family members. She is survived by her seven children: Michael (Erin) Jeppson, Alicia (John) Wilkinson, Matthew (Amber) Jeppson, Sara (Troy) Sperry, Aaron Jeppson, Eliza (Samuel) Robinson, and Leah Jeppson (Chris Bronson); as well as 30 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, 3 sisters-in-law, and many, many treasured friends.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the ICU and Hospice caregivers at Intermountain's Utah Valley Hospital for their compassionate care.

Funeral Services will be conducted by Walker Sanderson Funeral Home of Provo. A viewing will be held Thursday, August 28, 2025, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at Walker Sanderson Funeral Home, 85 E 300 S, Provo, Utah. Funeral services will be Friday, August 29, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Franklin 1st LDS Ward, 610 W 300 S, Provo, Utah, with a viewing and visitation from 9:30–10:30 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will follow at Provo City Cemetery.

To view the services online for Marilyn please click here. www.walkersanderson.com