Bonnie J. Maline, 92, of Gothenburg, Nebraska died on May 7, 2019 in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Bonnie Jean was born on May 5, 1927 to Ernest and Cora (Kilmer) Purcell at Arnold, Nebraska, arriving with her twin sister Betty Ieleen. They were the babies of the family, joining their three older brothers and a half sister. They grew up on the farm southwest of Arnold. In 1945, Bonnie and Betty graduated from Arnold High School. Being twins, they did everything together, even getting married on the same day, February 13, 1949. They had a beautiful double wedding as Bonnie married Wayne Maline and Betty married Leland Larreau. It was hard on their dad to walk them down the isle, one on each arm, and give them away.
Bonnie and Wayne made their home north of Gothenburg and were blessed with three children, Sandy, Kay and Tim. Bonnie’s life was spent being a busy farm wife and mother. She was a great cook. In fact, it seemed like she was always cooking! Something she was known for by her kids and grandkids. She grew and canned a lot of produce, raised and froze chickens, always working, busy all day long.
One of her great loves was working for her church. She was a member of the Gothenburg Seventh Day Adventist Church. She held nearly every office over the years, including working on the church’s “Dorcus Society” where used clothing was given away.
Bonnie and Wayne left the farm and moved into Gothenburg in 1997. They had only lived there for four months when Wayne had a stroke. The next eight months were spent lovingly caring for him until he passed away in October of 1997. He was just 69 years old. Bonnie now had lots of time to fill as she lived another 21 years. She enjoyed her many nice neighbors on 17th Street. Then it came time for her to downsize, and she moved into Hillcrest Retirement Apartments, where she lived for the next nine years. She loved it there and made many friends and enjoyed all the activities.
Bonnie remained healthy and active past the age of 90. Still driving around town and baking pies and other goodies for potluck dinners. She moved into Hilltop nursing home as a result of a back fracture and remained there for a year and a half. She made many friends there of both residents and staff. Bonnie suffered a fall that took her to Lincoln where she passed away. She was loved by many and will be missed.
Bonnie is survived by her children: Sandy Bosch and her children Stacie (John) Harrington and Kelly Bosch; Kay (Rob) Johns and their children, Jessie (Bryan) Dodds and Holly (Nate) Buss; and Tim (Tricia) Maline and their children, Peyton (Korey) Ahlenstorf, Hailey (Hayden) Gibson and Courtney Maline; nine great grandchildren: Joshua, Matthew, Michael, and Brandon Harrington, Macy and Gavin Dodds, Keaton, Brinley and Tycen Buss; and her sister-in-law Carmen Purcell.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Cora, her husband Wayne, son-in-law Tom; sisters Betty, Zolmia and baby Hazel; brothers Wilber, Edward (Barbara) and Duane (Eileen); brothers-in-law Leland Larreau and John Horn.
Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, 620 Tenth Street, Gothenburg, Nebraska on Saturday, May 11, 2019 from 3:00 p.m. to f:00 p.m.
Funeral Services will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel on Monday, May 13, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Joseph Carty officiating.
Internment will follow in the Gothenburg Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to Amazing Facts, PO Box 1058, Roseville, California 95678.