Vonda Lee Bronson Wise

January 5, 1920 ~ December 2, 2012
Vonda Lee Bronson Wise passed away on December 2, 2012. She was born January 5, 1920, the youngest of seven children, to Wilmer Bronson and Naomi Perkins, one of the first families to settle in Monticello, UT.
She and her family, including sister Gwyn Bronson Meador and brothers Verde, Eural, Rex, Karel and Don Bronson, made their way to Moab, where Vonda lived until age 16.
At that point the family moved to Los Angeles, CA where she graduated from high school with honors. She was recruited as a specialist from Walt Disney Studios to become one of the first women members in the unit known as WAVES to be inducted into the United States Navy, in Washington, D.C.
She met Chief Specialist Alan Wise, the love of her life. They were married without ceremony, in dress uniform. In 1945, they were both honorably discharged from the Navy.
The couple returned to California, where Alan taught her to play golf. They subsequently had two children. Mark Alan Wise was born in 1951 and Karen Edyse Wise in 1955.
Vonda went on to excel as an amateur championship golfer and the best mother a child could ever know. Upon Alan’s retirement, they relocated to Soboba Springs, CA where they lived and played golf everyday until his death in 1987.
Soon after, Vonda decided to come back to her roots and spend time with her sister Gwyn, her dear nephews Bill and Junior Meador, and her beloved niece Donna Bronson Reid.
She and her daughter Karen returned to Moab in 1990. With the voice of an angel and eminent family history, she quickly joined the Valley Voices and Daughters of Utah Pioneers. There, she shared the joy of song and precious pioneer heritage with hundreds of people. All the while, she never stopped playing golf.
From 2001 to 2003 she participated in the Huntsman World Senior Games, never coming home without a medal. She won the bronze and a special gold medal just ten years ago at the age of 82. No small feat for any golfer. Her excellence and knowledge of the game made her a beloved member of the Moab Golf Course.
Her contributions to the Moab community and her love of the countryside will not be forgotten. Thanks to those who loved, respected and admired her, she will never be forgotten. A celebration of her life was held at the Moab Golf Course on December 6, 2012. Sernfd condolences to the family at www.SpanishValleyMortuary.com
Card of thanks
From Mark and Karen, with great love and appreciation for those of you who have reached out in this time and who continue to show everyday how much she was loved and how much we are loved.