Bonnie Lou Gunderson (Koenck)

Bonnie Lou (Koenck) Gunderson, 68, of Neenah, Wisconsin passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Sunday, September 26, 2021, after experiencing complications from a brain aneurysm that occurred five years ago. Her final days were rich with love, memories, tears, and moments of laughter.

The late Floyd and Adeline Koenck were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Bonnie, on November 23, 1952.  She was the fourth of six children and was born in Denison, Iowa.  As a child, Bonnie was known as the quiet one and sometimes people needed to be reminded that she was there.

At Zion Lutheran Church in her hometown of Denison, Iowa she was baptized on May 30, 1954, and confirmed on April 7, 1968.  Bonnie was a member of the 1971 graduating class of Denison High School.

While in high school and at the local roller skating rink, she met Stephen Gunderson who became the love of her life.  They went skating every Sunday evening.  They were united in marriage at the Zion Lutheran Church in Denison on November 28, 1970, and they celebrated 50 years of marriage with their immediate family last November.

This marriage blessed Bonnie and Steve with two children:  Corey and Mandy.  Bonnie dedicated her life to her family and was a wonderful mother and wife.  Before her children, she worked at the Denison A&W and Jomarts Steakhouse.  After the arrival of Corey and Mandy, she stayed at home to raise her children and later the family moved to Mount Vernon, Iowa.  It was there that she also took on the job of caring for a handful of other children as an in-home daycare provider.  She was always very proud of how she cared for and loved all of her kids and their families.  They will always hold a special place in her heart.

After the family relocated to Neenah, Wisconsin and her kids were older she worked at Shopko and Home Etc. for many years until her retirement.  She enjoyed spending time with her husband and attending the sporting events of Corey and Mandy.

In addition to raising and caring for her beautiful family, she enjoyed cross-stitching, collecting Beanie Babies and Willow Tree sculptures.  Bonnie was also very interested in The Amish people and their culture.  She had an extensive collection of paintings, figurines and books.  She even visited several Amish Communities and events in the Midwest.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents: Floyd and Adeline Koenck, sister: Pam Patman, mother-in-law: Lorraine Gunderson, father-in-law: Harry Gunderson, brother-in-law: Gordon Gunderson, aunts, uncles and other family.

She will be sadly missed by her devoted, loving husband of almost 51 years, Steve, her children and their spouses: Corey (Michelle) Gunderson, Mandy (Ben) Christiansen and her five beautiful grandchildren:  Nathan (special friend, Chandra), Alayna, Gretchen, Joshua and Andrew.  Also, her great-granddaughter: Luna.

She is further survived by her siblings:  Patricia (Lee) Swanson, Jack Koenck, Jim (Jean) Koenck, Barb (Justin) Dahlberg, brothers- and sisters-in-law: Susan (Dean) Danielson, Richard (Diane) Gunderson, Lori (Dennis) Kline and her aunt Helen Haase. She also has many special nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family.

Some of her lasting memories include all of the holiday celebrations including the November birthday parties, her famous stovetop s’mores, making sure the nieces and nephews made “happy plates”, the water fights, and the time she was able to spend with her grandchildren.  “Bless your heart.”

She was deeply loved by her family and will be greatly missed.

You have earned your angel wings so fly high and watch over us until we meet again.

The family would like to thank the staff at Country Villa of Freedom, Moments Hospice, Radiology Associates of Neenah, and Neuroscience for their compassionate and loving care of Bonnie.

A celebration of Bonnie’s life will be held at 6:00 pm, on Thursday, October 21, 2021, at the Wichmann Funeral Home, Tri-County Chapel, 1592 Oneida St., Menasha, WI 54952. Visitation will be on Thursday at the chapel from 4:00 pm until the time of the celebration. Inurnment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery in Neenah, Wisconsin.