Obituary for Bonita Bockelmann
Bonita Theo Alva (Passick) Bockelmann was born on September 20, 1916, in Monona County, Iowa to John and Emma (Schneekloth) Passick. She grew up in the Mapleton area, attending country school. Bonita was confirmed at St. Peter's United Church of Christ. The family moved to Mapleton and Bonita graduated from the Mapleton High School with the Class of 1934. On April 9, 1939 Bonita, was united in marriage to Clarence Mohr at St. Peter's United Church of Christ in Mapleton. Bonita and Clarence were blessed with the birth of one daughter, Theon. The family farmed east of Mapleton until Clarence retired and the couple then returned to Mapleton. Clarence passed away in August, 1975. On December 26, 1976, Bonita was united in marriage to Herman Bockelmann. They remained living in Mapleton. Bonita was a life-long member of St. Peter's United Church of Christ and served in the Women's Guild, taught Sunday School for many years, and served as the Sunday School Superintendent for eleven years. Bonita loved music and sang for many weddings as well as the church choir. Bonita was an avid quilter and spent many hours quilting at the church and in her home. She was an exacting quilter and also enjoyed embroidery and sewing. She passed her love of needle crafts on to her daughter Theon, and many have been the recipients of her beautiful craftsmanship. Bonita and Herman enjoyed their daily coffees at the Beef 'n Brew with their many friends and some of Bonita's high school classmates. They were avid card players, enjoying countless games of Euchre with their grandchildren and friends. Bonita and Herman also enjoyed their many years of traveling with their motor home. Bonita was always the map reader and Herman the driver. This worked very well for them until one trip when two of the granddaughters were along and distracted Bonita from her job as map reader. Herman did manage to get back on track but a few more "map reading" breaks from the card games were taken, especially when passing through any large cities. The couple spent several winters in Arizona and Florida, always stopping in Nashville to see Theon and their grandchildren. Theon succumbed to cancer in 1984. In January, 2009 Bonita and Herman moved to Eventide Senior Housing in Denison. In May, 2010 they moved to Eventide Nursing Home in Denison. Herman passed away on October 16, 2011, and Bonita continued residing at Eventide. Bonita is survived by two step-children, JoAnn Maack and her husband, Ronald of Charter Oak and LoWayne "Doc" Bockelmann and his wife, Mary of Richmond, Virginia. She is also survived by nine grandchildren and step-grandchildren: Joshua Hoover-Dempsey, Jesse Duprel, Jordan Cooper, Rhonda Nemitz, Deb Wilcke, Teri Wilson, Tricia Rohde, Troy Bockelmann, and Dawn Davis; 19 great grandchildren: Maxwell, Meyer, and Mills Hoover-Dempsey, Tyler and Emma Duprel, Jackson and Clara Cooper, Matt Klein, Evan and Dane Nemitz, T.J. and Brianna Wilcke, Amanda Fegan, Bailey and Michael Wilson, Cooper and Makenzie Rohde, and Grant and Lauren Davis; along with two sisters-in-law, Arlene Kiepe and Ethel Bockelmann, both of Denison, other relatives and friends. Bonita was preceded in death by her husband Clarence, her husband Herman, her daughter, Theon Hoover-Dempsey her parents John and Emma Passick, four brothers-in-law, Albin, LuVern and Pete Bockelmann, and Ferd Kiepe, and two sisters-in-law, Ruth and Opal Bockelmann.
Service:
10:30 a.m.
St. Peter's United Church of Christ 510 Ring St. Mapleton, Iowa
Visitation:
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Armstrong Funeral Home 210 S. 5th St. Mapleton, Iowa
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Service:
10:30 a.m.
St. Peter's United Church of Christ 510 Ring St. Mapleton, Iowa
Visitation:
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Armstrong Funeral Home 210 S. 5th St. Mapleton, Iowa
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