Verna Anita Clara Bonnie

Verna Anita Clara Bonnie, 93, of Rhinelander, passed away peacefully at the Seasons of Life Hospice House in Woodruff on September 1, 2024. She was born on September 26, 1930, in Shirley, Wis., to Edwin and Martha Lemke. The family then moved to Rhinelander in 1933. Verna married Richard Bonnie on October 29, 1949, raised four children, and enjoyed 39 years of marriage until Richard’s passing on September 8, 1988.

She was a lifelong member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church and active in various church functions and activities. Throughout her working career, Verna worked in the women’s fashion department at Montgomery Ward, DeByles and Leuthold Bahr, all located on the main street of downtown Rhinelander. She was a teacher’s aide with Title I in the Rhinelander school district and worked as the office manager for Woodland Homes and Real Estate.

Verna was a gifted self-taught artist working with stained glass, rosemaling, intricate needle punch and cross-stitch patterns as well as an accomplished basket weaver. She also enjoyed knitting and crocheting all types of clothing items for her children and grandchildren. Her skills as a seamstress were exceptional. One of her favorite activities was visiting antique stores in the surrounding Rhinelander area or any other area she happened to visit. She had a lifelong affinity for animals, having originally lived on a farm. Her last animal companion was a blue parakeet named Pippi. He was her constant companion, riding on her shoulders around her home and the two were inseparable.

Verna was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; her parents, Edwin and Martha Lemke; her siblings, Herbert Lemke, Merlin Lemke, Wilmer Lemke, Gerald Lemke, and Ethel Dorion. She is survived by her children, Edwin (Laura) Bonnie, Timothy (Cheryl) Bonnie, Patrick (Marian) Bonnie, and Kristine Kujala; 7 grandchildren, Anita, Marissa, Peter, Katie, Deanna, Devin, and Alisha; 6 great-grandchildren, Lilly, Evelyn, Adalin, Violet, Brandon and Coraline.

Funeral services were held on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church located at 160 N. Brown Street in Rhinelander. Visitation began at 9 a.m. and continued until the time of service at 11 a.m. Interment took place at the Forest Home Cemetery in Rhinelander following the service. All were invited to join the family for a luncheon at Zion Church.

You may leave your private condolences for the Bonnie family at www.carlsonfh.com. 

The Carlson Funeral Home (715-369-1414) is serving the family.