Bonnie Sue (Nelson) ANDERSON

NELSON, RENICKER, ANDERSON, HAMMOND

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 12/29/2006 at 23:00:14

Bonnie Sue Anderson, 43, died on Friday, January 28, 2005, at her home in rural Goodell with her family at her side. She fought a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, February 1, at the St. John Lutheran Church, Belmond, with Rev. Lowell Halvorson officiating.

Bonnie Nelson was born on June 13, 1961 at the Belmond Community Hospital, the daughter of Gerald and Irene (Renicker) Nelson. She graduated from the Belmond High School with the class of 1979. She received a degree in Horse Science Husbandry from Kirkwood Community College. In her childhood she became infatuated with, and especially fond of horses, a passion she carried throughout her life. Bonnie married Terry R. Anderson on March 20, 1982 at St. John Lutheran. Following their marriage Bonnie signed Terry for three years in the United States Army. She traveled with him to Germany for his 18-month tour. In Europe they saw many exciting places. Bonnie and Terry had two sons, Joshua Leonard and Duane Gerald. She was blessed with the 30 some hours Joshua lived. Much of Bonnie's energy was focused on loving care for Duane. She and Terry devoted themselves to providing Duane with the best care, love, and parenting they could give him. Though much of the last 16 years, Bonnie's life was focused on what was best for her son. She was very ambitious with her time and talents. Bonnie was vice president of the ladies auxiliary and enjoyed meeting with the gals. She was an enterprising businesswoman and accomplished author. Bonnie had been published more than 200 times in instructional books, novels, periodicals, newsletters, newspaper articles, and websites. She was in the process of making audio book recordings for Duane so he would be able to experience some of her writings. Bonnie owned and operated her own company called Magefire Book Publishing. Her passion for horses was a major part of her business career and leisure time. Bonnie operated the "Saddle's & More" tack shop at the couple's acreage. A favorite pastime was horse archery, a sport of archery shooting on a galloping horse. Her zest for this sport allowed her to become very accomplished in a short time. Bonnie published a book entitled "The Horse in Horse Archery - A Buying, Riding and Training Guide --a comprehensive overview of this unique sport". She was the only woman in Iowa to attend horse archery training. She was active in the International Horse Archery Festival as a board member. Bonnie enjoyed the time spent with her son, Duane and husband, Terry. Her father was one of the most important people of her life, and her mother had been a special part of her life, too. She enjoyed times spent with her siblings and extended family. Bonnie was an avid reader, when she wasn't working with her horses, she was reading. She loved animals and in her youth was involved in FFA. In her spare time Bonnie liked to go inline skating and had been active in karate programs for a number of years. She will be remembered by her family as quiet, yet stern in her beliefs and passions. Bonnie had a wonderful and warm sense of humor that showed through best when she was faced with the trials of life, especially during her battle with cancer. Her husband will cherish the special bonding time that he shared with "Bon" during the final weeks and days of her life. The two fought the dreadful complications of her disease until the very conclusion of her battle.

She was preceded in death by her father; son, Joshua Leonard; and infant sister, Geraldine. Survivors include her husband; son, Duane at home; mother, Irene Nelson of Belmond; sister, Lee Ann Nelson of Belmond; brother, Jerry (Kym) Nelson, of Renton, Washington; half-sister, Betty Lou Hammond of Bellevue, Nebraska; and her special companion, horse "Wizzo". A very special thanks to Velere and Juanita Stromer of Klemme for all the love and healing.

January 31, 2005
©Belmond Independent 2005