McKenna, Bonnie (1924-2011)
MCKENNA, OLSON, COURNOYER, COLWELL, STONEBRAKER, STANFORD, WEBER
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 5/28/2011 at 21:36:55
Bonnie McKenna
April 15, 1924 - May 22, 2011Thursday, May 26, 2011
Bonnie McKenna, age 87, of Bellevue, Washington, died May 22, 2011, in Washington State.
Our mother, Bonnie, passed away of natural causes on May 22, 2011, at age 87. Her three children were with her. Bonnie was the first to say that she had a wonderful life. Born in Cushing, Iowa, on April 15, 1924, to Marion and Dorothy Olson, she received her teaching degree from Buena Vista College in Storm Lake.
In 1945, she spotted a handsome war hero across the dance floor and knew he was the one. She married Robert E. McKenna in 1946, and they moved to Bath, Maine, where Bonnie taught first grade. The Army called Bob back to active duty for the Korean War to fight with the infantry, and he remained in the military thereafter, also serving in Vietnam.
An Army wife for twenty-seven years, Bonnie loved their nomadic life. A dream come true for a small town girl from Iowa, she traveled (and shoped!) the world. The family lived in Germany three times and also in Bangkok, Thailand. They traveled to all the western European countries and several in Asia. President of the Military Council of Catholic Women in Europe, Bonnie made many lifelong friendships. In 1973, Pope Paul VI presented Bonnie with the "Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice" medal, the highest honor bestowed by the Church on a lay person, for her work with East European refugees.
In 1977, Bonnie and Bob settled in Bellevue, Washington. When Bob died in 1980, Bonnie said she had lost the world's best husband. She stayed busy volunteering at St. Louise's Church and remaining active in her garden club.
Bonnie loved to talk and laugh. Smart and creative, she also kept a beautiful home. Whatever she did, she did well and set the same high standard for her offspring. She was happiest when spending time with her children, Michele Cournoyer (Paul), Erin Lynne Colwell (Michael), and Rob McKenna* (Marilyn). She was very proud of her seven grandchildren: Michael Stonebraker, Ryan Stanford, Morgan Stanford, and Madeleine, Katie, Robert and Connor McKenna. Her two younger sisters, Patsye Olson and Twila Weber survive her. Besides her husband, Bonnie was preceded in death by their infant son, Robert Elliott, Jr. and her parents.
Friends are invited to view photos, get directions, and share memories in the family's online guest book at www.flintofts.com .
Graveside service will be Saturday, May 28, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Storm Lake. A family rosary will take place at 10:15 a.m. that morning at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.
© Copyright 2011, Storm Lake Pilot Tribune
*Washington State's Attorney General
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