Lynn Vance

Lynn Michele Bowman Vance was born August 8, 1945, in Northfield, Minnesota, and died November 24, 2025. Her husband and children knew her as someone who never complained, was inquisitive, enjoyed the adventure of life, was resilient, a real "mother bear" when it came to her children, loved nature and gardening, had a cheerful spirit, able to connect with almost anyone, had devoted friends, was well-read, and had a deep love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Lynn was the second daughter of Russell K. Bowman and Lillian Milan Bowman. Completing his PhD at Columbia University, her father took the family to Minnesota to teach at Carleton College. The family relocated to Waukesha, Wisconsin, where he taught at Carroll College. It was in Waukesha that Lynn acquired her love of nature, with the long summer days and family camping vacations. When Lynn was 13, the family moved to Tempe, Arizona, for her father to begin work at Arizona State University.

Lynn loved Arizona, especially the weather, which allowed her to spend more hours outdoors and further increase her passion for nature. She excelled as a student and was an excellent artist. While in high school, she always had many friends, among them members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She accepted the restored gospel, was active, to the point of attending and graduating from early-morning seminary, but not baptized. This required parental permission, which she was not given.

Towards the end of her senior year, she and David Vance (recently returned missionary) met, but it was during his sacrament meeting homecoming talk that he could hardly take his eyes off her face. He tried to get to Lynn after the meeting to offer her a ride home, but someone else got to her first. A short time later, they had their first date. They both enrolled in summer school at ASU and began dating regularly. Her birthday was getting close, and she told her parents that she would be baptized when turning 18, but would like their permission. It was granted, and she was baptized 5 days before her birthday.

David proposed to Lynn on her birthday, but unbeknownst to her parents, they were already talking about marriage. They wanted to be married and sealed in the temple, but understood that they would have to wait 12 months for that to happen. In early September 1963, Lynn received President David O. McKay's authorization to go to the temple. There was an "interesting" discussion with Lynn's parents when she and David told them that they were getting married the following week. They were married September 11, 1963, in the Mesa Arizona Temple.

On the same day that they married, they packed and left for a 2-day Grand Canyon honeymoon, on their way to BYU. Both were enrolled, and Lynn began working part-time at the bookstore. Her father had not encouraged her to get a driver's license; however, she learned to drive in Provo when she was 18. David had bought a small motorcycle to get to school and work, thus leaving her their car. She never forgot when they rode the Alpine Loop, behind him on the motorcycle. She was very pregnant at the time.

While more education was important to her, when their first child (Chris) was born, there was no question in her mind that being a parent was her most important objective. She dropped out of school and dedicated herself to being a wife and mother. With her support, often with homework, David graduated and was hired by a bank in New York City to work overseas-- the adventure she said she wanted began. They lived in New Jersey, where their second son (Bob) was born. Shortly after his birth, they moved to Montevideo, Uruguay, their first overseas assignment. Two years later, they were transferred to Buenos Aires, Argentina, and while there, their third son (Matt) was born. After two years in Buenos Aires, they were transferred to Rosario, Argentina, where they were blessed with the birth of a daughter (Jessica).

The boys were enrolled in school in Rosario, and Lynn would drop and pick them up every day. It was a several-mile drive between the school and her home. On one occasion, while returning home, she came upon a military roadblock. Misunderstanding what a soldier was signaling, she proceeded towards him in hopes of being let through to get home. She realized that she had misunderstood the signal when the soldier raised his rifle and pointed it towards her. She quickly turned around and returned to a friend's home for the evening. The roadblock was removed later that night, and she made it home. Due to the unstable economic, social, and political situation and reluctance to have 24/7 protection, they were transferred back to New York. David stayed in Argentina a bit longer before reporting to the head office and beginning a search for a home. She flew from Buenos Aires to New York and connected to Arizona with 4 children under 9 and 2 dogs. After 2 months in Arizona and the finalization of a home purchase in New Jersey, the family returned. A second daughter (Allyson) was born.

Packing up again in early fall 1974, they moved to Dallas, Texas, where two sons (Jeremy and James) and a daughter (Teresa) were born. After 10 years in Dallas, another move, this one south, to Houston, Texas. Finally, in 1992, in the last move to Provo, Utah, she made it clear that it was the last.

While supporting her husband, she faithfully supported the many activities of her 8 children. This included music, art lessons, baseball games, soccer, gymnastics, and a lot of football. Later, it would be for grandchildren's events. Besides her scriptures, she always had other books she was reading, learning more about raising children, and looking for ideas for helping with teenage challenges. She also enjoyed action fiction and historical novels. She loved gardening, second only to her family.

From before and after joining the church, she was active, willingly accepting callings. Her management, administrative, and love of the gospel came together while serving as Ward Relief Society President in New Jersey and later in Houston wards, never neglecting her commitment to her children. She served several years as an Ordinance Worker in the Provo Temple and as a teacher at the Utah County jail with the LDS Branch. Family members say they never heard her complain about the work of raising 8 children, even as they admit to having frequently tried her patience. No matter what, she made sure that her children and husband were fed, a challenge with 5 boys. She was a great cook.

Lynn's health was always excellent, even after the 8 children (all weighing more than 9 lbs. and one, 11.6 lbs.). Following an infection leading to sepsis in February 2024, her health began to decline. She passed quietly at home. All 8 of her children, individually, were able to spend time with her to express their love and appreciation for her life and example.

Lynn was preceded in death by her parents and sister, a grandson (Matt -Michelle), Mason Vance and is survived by her husband, children and their spouses: Chris Vance (Geri-Dylan, Lexi, Caleb), Bob Vance (Deanna), Matt Vance (Michelle-Madison, Mason, Reagan, Riley, Avery), Jessica Campbell (Adam-Miles, Nicholas, Sidney), Allyson Sepp (Will-Gwen, Anneliese, Emmeline), Jeremy Vance, James Vance (Emily-Lenna, Adalyn, Carter, Sterling) and Teresa (Layla, Tessa, Coy), and four great-grandchildren.