Bonnie Mae Willett
November 8, 1927 — May 30, 2022
Bonnie Mae Russmann Willett, daughter of Albert and Lisle (Harris) Russmann, was born on November 8, 1927 in Knox Township, Pottawattamie County, Iowa. Bonnie attended school in Avoca and graduated with the class of 1945.
Bonnie taught country school west of Avoca until she was united in marriage to Maynard Willett on June 14, 1950 at the First Lutheran Church in Avoca. After the two were married Bonnie became a working farm wife until Maynard retired. While living on the farm the coffee pot was always on for the drop-in friends and neighbors; and, when family dropped by to visit she always made lunch - as she called it "a little something" which was more like a meal. Bonnie's summers on the farm were busy tending a big garden in addition to walking beans making sure there was not a weed to be found. This continued many years after Roundup Ready soybeans were planted. She enjoyed canning, making jelly and made the best angel food cake with sticky frosting. Bonnie was a hard worker and did a lot of chores during her lifetime. She enjoyed going with Mayne occasionally to Hancock to fish the Nishnabotna. She was a tutor for any of the nieces and nephews that wanted to spend a little extra time working on reading or arithmetic. Bonnie and Mayne helped take care of nieces and nephews when their sibling was terminally ill. Bonnie and Maynard had hearts of gold, and were "Godparents" to many of the nieces and nephews. Bonnie was an avid reader, journaled daily (mostly about who stopped by, the weather, and the markets), enjoyed doing crossword puzzles as well as an occasional jigsaw puzzle.
On Monday, May 30, 2022, Bonnie passed away at the Avoca Specialty Care Center having attained the age of 94 years, 6 months and 22 days. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Maynard; brothers Gary and Richard; sister Carol; 4 nieces, 3 nephews and 6 brothers-in-law. Left to cherish her memory are her sisters Norma (Duane) Herrell; Shirley (Ned) Thies; Marjorie (Jerry) Kobs; sisters-in-law Jane Russmann and Eleanore Willett; other family and friends.
Family requests in lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to local fire departments.
Bonnie taught country school west of Avoca until she was united in marriage to Maynard Willett on June 14, 1950 at the First Lutheran Church in Avoca. After the two were married Bonnie became a working farm wife until Maynard retired. While living on the farm the coffee pot was always on for the drop-in friends and neighbors; and, when family dropped by to visit she always made lunch - as she called it "a little something" which was more like a meal. Bonnie's summers on the farm were busy tending a big garden in addition to walking beans making sure there was not a weed to be found. This continued many years after Roundup Ready soybeans were planted. She enjoyed canning, making jelly and made the best angel food cake with sticky frosting. Bonnie was a hard worker and did a lot of chores during her lifetime. She enjoyed going with Mayne occasionally to Hancock to fish the Nishnabotna. She was a tutor for any of the nieces and nephews that wanted to spend a little extra time working on reading or arithmetic. Bonnie and Mayne helped take care of nieces and nephews when their sibling was terminally ill. Bonnie and Maynard had hearts of gold, and were "Godparents" to many of the nieces and nephews. Bonnie was an avid reader, journaled daily (mostly about who stopped by, the weather, and the markets), enjoyed doing crossword puzzles as well as an occasional jigsaw puzzle.
On Monday, May 30, 2022, Bonnie passed away at the Avoca Specialty Care Center having attained the age of 94 years, 6 months and 22 days. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Maynard; brothers Gary and Richard; sister Carol; 4 nieces, 3 nephews and 6 brothers-in-law. Left to cherish her memory are her sisters Norma (Duane) Herrell; Shirley (Ned) Thies; Marjorie (Jerry) Kobs; sisters-in-law Jane Russmann and Eleanore Willett; other family and friends.
Family requests in lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to local fire departments.
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