Bonnie Rae Hove

Bonnie Rae Hove, age 77 of Appleton, passed into her Savior’s waiting arms quite unexpectedly on Monday morning, June 11, 2018. Bonnie was born in Gresham, Wisconsin on January 24, 1941, daughter of the late Ruth (Strutz) and Louis Neumeier. She was a graduate of Kimberly High School, and on September 16, 1961, she married the love of her life, Donald Hove at Trinity Lutheran Church in Appleton. Don preceded her in death in July of 1983.

Bonnie’s life was focused around her loving family. She was a caring and loving daughter, wife, mother, grandma, great-grandma, sister, and niece. Her caring and nurturing nature was evident in her constant concern for the welfare of others. She delighted in caring for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who loved to spend time with her. They always looked forward to those special birthday sleep-overs with “Grandma Bonnie” and will always treasure their memories of popcorn, movies, and chocolate malts. Many family gatherings ended by having water balloon fights, and even though Bonnie really didn’t want to get her hair wet, she secretly enjoyed them, even though she was often everyone’s favorite target.

She enjoyed being outdoors, spending time with her family, caring for her cats, and playing games and cards with friends. She rarely missed the multi-generational Wednesday coffee with her mother, aunts, uncles, and cousins. This had been a tradition for decades. Those that knew Bonnie knew all about the “candy can”, her sweet tooth, her donut holes, the secret stash of treats for the pets, and her love of making sugar cookies for the holidays.

She adored her knick-knacks, and for many years, Bonnie worked at Kirlin’s Hallmark Store in the mall, taking immaculate care of the gift department; she especially loved her Dept. 56 items.

A longtime and faithful member of Faith Lutheran Church, Bonnie will also be missed by the many dear friends she had made there over the years.

Bonnie is survived by her children: James (Mary) Hove, LuAnn (Dale) Thiel, and Diane (Tom) Frisque. She treasured her seven grandchildren: Lauren (Eric) Balza, Becca Hove, Travis Thiel, Brielle (Kenton) Grych, Mariah (fiancé Danny) Vanevenhoven, Mitchell Hove, and Joshua Thiel, and two great-grandchildren Danny and Sienna. Other survivors include a sister: Cindy (Fred) Terp; a brother: David (Julie Jansen) Miller; three sisters-in-law: Barbara Hove, Susan (Len) Martin, and Sheryl (Robert) Reynebeau; and an uncle: Robert Strutz. There are also many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her husband Donald Hove, parents, step-father Edmund Miller, in-laws Harry and Ruth Hove, son-in-law Brian Vanevenhoven, special aunt and Godmother June “Pete” Poppe, and brother-in-law David Hove.

Funeral services for Bonnie will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, June 15, 2018, at FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH, 601 E. Glendale Avenue in Appleton, with Rev. Aaron Rosenau officiating. Entombment will follow at Highland Memorial Park. Family and friends are invited to gather AT THE CHURCH on Thursday from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM and again Friday morning from 9:00 AM until the hour of the service.