Bonnie was born in Pocatello, Idaho, on March 4, 1932, to Leslie and Dorothy Hawkes. She was the only child for 10 years, until her brother, Glenn, was born. They lived happily in the "little yellow house" with rose gardens, lilacs, and other flowers her father loved to grow. Her mother was a good cook and crafted items for church bazaars. Bonnie learned to preserve food, sew, and crochet and developed a great love for all manner of flowers. She cross-stitched many beautiful projects. She was a faithful daughter, writing to her parents at least weekly, after she was married.

Bonnie attended school in Pocatello and was on the high school yearbook staff and in the Honor Society. She also attended Idaho State University. She met Richard, her husband of nearly 70 years, on a blind date. They were married August 18, 1955, in the Idaho Falls Temple. Bonnie worked as a secretary while Richard worked and went to school. They moved into different apartments, which were so much cleaner when they moved out; she earned the nickname of "Mrs. Clean." She loved to do laundry, maybe because she learned on a wringer washer, and the newer models were so much easier. She loved the fresh smell of linens dried out in the sunshine, even in the winter. She played the piano and encouraged her children to play an instrument.

Bonnie and Richard adopted four children: Julie, Eric, Lisa, and David. She considered them all to be her greatest blessings. They lived in Pocatello, Las Vegas, Boise, and finally settled permanently in Meridian. They had large vegetable gardens and a small orchard. Bonnie spent many long hours canning fruit and veggies to line the shelves in the big storage rooms Richard built in the basement. She also froze jam and more veggies in extra freezers.

Bonnie sewed pretty dresses and nightgowns for her daughters and learned to make t-shirts for the boys. She loved to crochet and made many blankets and afghans of all sizes, as well as clothing and kitchen accessories. She took up counted cross-stitch and made beautiful projects to frame. She loved to arrange flowers and do different crafts.

They bought antiques and enjoyed refinishing and using them in their home. They found an old butter churn and made their own butter. They felt living in the "country" was a good way to raise children. They had 5 acres with a small orchard and room for a cow and chickens. Summer days and holidays were the times for homemade ice cream. Huckleberry was usually the flavor of choice, although sometimes they made chocolate. Bonnie loved chocolate, especially dark chocolate. Her philosophy was, "A little chocolate every day is a good thing!"

Bonnie and Richard believed that every house needs a dog, and they always had at least one to spoil. They volunteered at the Bishop's Storehouse as well as the Garden City Cannery for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They also loved to snowbird to Yuma, Arizona, to escape the Idaho winters. They loved picking fresh oranges and lemons, walking the dog, and being with the good friends they made there. They also loved their good friends and neighbors from home in Meridian, so many over the years.

Bonnie is survived by her brother, four children, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family is ever grateful to the Cottages at Alpine Meadows staff and the First Choice Hospice for their diligent and compassionate care for Bonnie.

Funeral services will be held June 10 at 11:00 at the Overland Building at 1950 S. Locust Grove Road in Meridian. Interment will follow at Dry Creek Cemetery.