Obituary of Bonnie E. Bruce

Bonnie E. Bruce, 85, of Okoboji, IA and previously of Estherville, IA and Fairmont, MN passed away peacefully on April 28, 2009 at Hilltop Care Center in Spirit Lake, IA. Bonnie was born in Muncie, IL on October 24, 1923 to Golda and Charles Chesnut. She attended the University of Illinois before leaving school to work in support of the war effort during World War II. While at UI she was a member of the Chi Omega sorority and collected owls, their symbol, throughout her life. She also stayed in touch through a 'round robin' letter with a special group of friends from high school. She received and enjoyed her last letter from her round robin group just a day before her death. Bonnie met Bob Bruce in Urbana, IL in 1944 when he came to visit his sister Barb during Christmas leave from the Navy. They were married a month later on January 26, 1945, in New Orleans. Their 63-year marriage was blessed with three children. Bonnie worked as a secretary for several Fairmont doctors and the Fairmont School District. She and her family were members of the Fairmont Church of Christ. In 1965 she and Bob moved their family to Estherville where Bob taught high school for 24 years and Bonnie worked first for the Estherville School District and then for many years as secretary to the President of Iowa Lakes Community College. Bonnie was a long-time member of Estherville Christian Church. In 1977 Bonnie and Bob moved to their condo on Brooks Golf Course in Okoboji where they spent the next 31 years. Bonnie most enjoyed time with her family and was happiest when they could all be together. She will be greatly missed by her sister Betty Streimer of Fairmont, her children Michael "Scott" (Paula) of Colorado Springs, Cinda (Randy) Heiman of Omaha, and Shelley of Madison, WI, and her six grandchildren Stephen (Beth) Bruce, Erik (Julie) Bruce, Jeremia Coury Rasmussen, Robert "Rob" Rasmussen, Nicholas Rasmussen, and Michael Heiman . She was preceded in death by her husband Bob.