Marilyn Roberta Berquist Bryner

Marilyn Roberta Berquist Bryner

July 20, 1942 – June 7, 2011

Marilyn Bryner was born in Salt Lake City as the only child of Fred E. Berquist, an excavating contractor, and his wife, Betty Barrowman Berquist.  Her parents raised her with their utmost affection, cultivating a relationship that would remain close throughout their lives.

After graduating from South High School in 1960, Marilyn attended the University of Utah with ambition of studying Pharmacology.  However, before she could complete a degree, circumstances dictated that she relocate to Coco Beach, FL in 1961.  She then moved once more to Asheville, NC, where she trained as an optician and joined the practice of a Dr. Frazier.  Despite enjoying success in her profession, she realized that she preferred to return to Utah to be near her parents.  Once her father passed away in 1973, having suffered from prolonged illness, Marilyn assumed the responsibility of caring for her mother.  As such, Marilyn determined to recommence her education at the U. of Utah in order to attain the goal that she had set for herself years earlier.  She graduated with a BS in Accounting in 1981.  She served the State of Utah for 20 years as a financial analyst, culminating her career at the Utah Insurance Department, from which she retired in 2003.

Perhaps the greatest blessing in Marilyn’s life was the true love and profound friendship that she found at long last with her husband, David John Bryner, a plumbing contractor and Vietnam veteran.  Through their mutual affiliation with the Intercontinental Church of God, the couple met each other by change following a religious service in 1990.  Romance blossomed, and they were married on September 22, 1993.  Together they resided in Salt Lake City in proximity to Marilyn’s mother, Betty.  Aside from their shared beliefs, Marilyn and David took great pleasure in camping and traveling cross country to see the natural beauty of the United States.

Throughout her life, Marilyn faced adversity with faith, optimism, and courage, and chose to answer conflicts with pragmatism, empathy, and sweetness.  She believed in the best in other people and strove to give the best of herself.  She was an exemplary wife and a devoted daughter.  In the spring of 2010, Marilyn was diagnosed with late-stage cancer.  Though she received excellent treatment from the doctors and nurses of the Hunstman Cancer Center, she finally succumbed to her disease.  Marilyn died peacefully in her home on the morning of June 7^th.

She is survived by her husband David John Bryner; mother Betty Barrowman Berquist, both of Salt Lake City; mother-in-law Marcella Powell Bryner of Price, UT; two stepsons and their wives Curtis James (Ann) Bryner of Yreka, CA and David (Katherine) Bryner of Hainesport, NJ; four beautiful grandchildren Hailey, Jacob, Luke, and Cole, whom she all loved as her own.  She will also be dearly missed by her cousin Angus R. (Linda) Cannon of Salinas, CA, whom she treated as a brother; and her nephew Angus J.; and niece Virginia.

A celebration of her life will be held on Tuesday, June 14^th from 6 to 8 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City.  A viewing will be held on Wednesday, June 15^th from 10 to 11 AM, also at the Parlor.  A graveside service officiated by Minister Chris Cumming will follow at 11:30 AM at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 1342 East 500 South. Salt Lake City.