Berna Altamarie Thayer

Alta was born on June 12, 1947 in San Fernando, California. Her parents were Amos Smith Kays, Jr. and Berna Ila Kemsley Kays. Shortly after graduating from North Hollywood High School in 1965, Alta married Donald Hansen. Their daughter, Donna Marie Hansen was born on July 12, 1966. After their divorce, Alta worked as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. Alta?s son, Michael Kevin Hansen was born on February 19, 1976. On February 10, 1979, after a year?s courtship, Alta & Robert Francis Thayer, Jr. were married in North Hollywood. Their son, Robert Francis Thayer, III was born on May 7, 1982. Alta & Bob bowled on several leagues. Alta earned many trophies as a member of a lady?s 8-ball pool team. Alta enjoyed raising Basset Hound dogs.
The Thayers moved from their home in North Hollywood to Bothwell, Utah during the Summer of 1983. Donna stayed in North Hollywood with grandfather Amos. Alta was raised as a city girl, but quickly became a rural girl and enjoyed taking care of their dogs, cats, horses, goats, pigs, rabbits and chickens. She & Bob thoroughly enjoyed mini-vacations away from the chores by going to Wendover ? what she called ?attitude adjustment sessions?. She bowled on several leagues in Ogden, Brigham City, and Tremonton. For many seasons, she served as the secretary to several bowling leagues in Tremonton. She enjoyed keeping in contact with her many Kemsley cousins, fishing in the Pacific Ocean and in the rivers of Utah, crocheting & other craft activities, making craft things for display at the Box Elder County Fair, and especially, handmade things for presents for friends and relatives. She was most pleased when we were blessed by snow on the ground for Christmas.
By 1988, diabetes was starting to encroach on her health, and she required medical help numerous times ? occasionally by hospitalization at the BRVH in 1997 impaired her ability to walk so much that she used a 4-wheeled electric scooter for mobility anywhere but at home. By 2000, an oxygen generator machine became a necessity. By 2003, she became bedridden and remained in her bed at home from then on, until her final days in a hospital.
Alta returned from whence she came on Tuesday afternoon, June 27 2006. Cardiac arrest was the final straw that took her from us. Per her wishes, she was cremated. She is survived by her husband, Bob Thayer of Bothwell, her daughter Donna Weyland of Taylorsville, Joe Weyland of Taylorsville, her son Michael Hansen of Littleton, Colorado, her son Robert Thayer, III of Honolulu, Hawaii, & her grandson Malek Amos Hansen. Also, several aunts, uncles, cousins, and her constant bedroom companion & friend/protector ? her dog Bindi.
A memorial service for Alta will be at the Bothwell Ward LDS church at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 14, 2006. Instead of flowers, a donation to the American Diabetes Association in Alta Thayer?s name will help in the research for a cure for this killer disease.