Obit: Elmhorst, Bonnie Rose (1935 - 2006)

Contact:  Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon

Surnames: Elmhorst, Woodford, Botnen, Humphrey, Witte, Sandberg, Block, Vaughan, Trimberger

----Sources: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark County, WI) January 11, 2006

Elmhorst, Bonnie Rose (December 9, 1935 - January 6, 2006)

Bonnie Rose Elmhorst, age 70, of Neillsville, died Friday, January 6, 2006 in the Palliative Care Unit at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield.

She was born on December 9, 1935 to Olaf and Della (Woodford) Botnen. Bonnie married Wendell "Weny" Elmhorst in Neillsville on December 11, 1954. She worked for Neillsville ASCS for a time after graduating from high school and then farmed with Weny until they sold the cows in 1997.

She organized the Neillsville Women’s Softball League in the ‘70’s and one year her team finally took first place. She collected and refurbished antiques for herself for years and was "crafty" in so many ways. She was an avid seamstress all her life. She was a lifeguard and taught swimming and officiated at swimming meets. She also served on the Neillsville Sunburst Advisory Committee, and for many years she was a guardian-at-lidem for a variety of people in the nursing home.

She had a very unique sense of humor and jokingly referred to herself as the "sex symbol of Clark County." Someone else now will have to wear the crown.

Bonnie was first diagnosed with cancer in 1997 and valiantly fought this evil disease for the last nine years of her life. Her wit and determination was a source of encouragement to her family and friends. She always praised her husband, Weny for his never-ending kindness, care and patience throughout. Bonnie was a long-time member of the Calvary Lutheran Church in Neillsville and Pastor Gordon was a major support to her. She was a sunshine person at her church and she was sunshine to so many.

She is survived by her husband, Weny and their four children, Scott Elmhorst and wife Connie (Humphrey) and their children, Rick, Dana and Whitney; Kristin (Elmhorst) Humphrey and husband, Jerry Humphrey and one son, Jordan; Brigette (Elmhorst) Witte and husband, Bruce Witte; Eric Elmhorst and wife Jena (Sandberg) Elmhorst and their children, Carley and Ross; one great-grandson, Dominic Elmhorst, son of Rick. She is further survived by one brother, Dale (Joann) Botnen; and nieces and nephews, including one special niece, Sue Trimberger Block; brothers-in-law, Clint Vaughan and Ronnie Elmhorst; and sister-in-law, Dianne Elmhorst.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Karen Botnen Trimberger; and brother-in-law, Gene Trimberger.

A Memorial service for Bonnie was held Tuesday, January 10, 2006 at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Neillsville, Wis. Pastor James Gordon officiated. Music was provided by Kris Herbrand, organist and the Calvary Lutheran Church Choir.

Honorary casket bearers were: Herman "Butch" Carl, Calvin Gerhardt, Benny Heck, Jesse Marty, Norm Saracoff, Fritz Seelow and Ronald Zank.

You were such a unique character—the pattern was thrown away after you were made. We will weep a little less when we remember your crazy sense of humor and what a special lady you were.

The Gesche Funeral Home assisted the family with funeral arrangements.