November 13, 2020 at 1:14 p.m.
Bonnie Elkerton
Bonnie Elkerton
She was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Volney and Corrine Moe. She spent most of her childhood in Minnesota with her beloved sister Pat, and later in life, sister Judy and brother Bert. As a young woman, Bonnie was a gifted soprano and pianist, with Chopin being her favorite composer.
Bonnie married George Whaley in 1950, and started a family with twins Scott (Jennifer) Whaley and Jill (Michael) Harvet. Son Kevin (Diane) Whaley arrived five years later, and five years after that, twins Erin (Tracy) Beam and Darwin (Lawrence Rincon) Whaley. Bonnie and George also raised niece Dana Whaley as one of their own children. After the children were grown, Bonnie began working as an assistant at the local veterinary clinic. She later established herself as a receptionist at the Chisago County Press in Lindstrom, Minnesota. Her duties grew to writing a weekly recipe column that was usually accompanied by a personal story about family or her experiences in life. She touched many hearts with her stories. She later became Administrative Assistant for the Butler Family Foundation, where she remained until retirement.
Throughout her 90 years, Bonnie was actively involved in church as a Junior Choir director, a choir member, a soloist, and a bookkeeper. She was also active in local community theaters. Bonnie was an award winning artist, starting out with oil and water color, and specializing in later years in encaustic wax pieces. In addition to her many talents, Bonnie was a lover of animals. She served as Treasurer for the Chisago County Humane Society, and many of the animals she brought back to the farm for "fostering" ended up being permanent members of the family.
Bonnie was preceded in death by beloved husbands Keith Elkerton and George Fautch. She is survived by all her children, sisters in law Velma Farr and Millie Whaley, numerous nieces and nephews, 24 grandchildren and great-grandchildren, many friends, and dear friend Al Turnquist.
Bonnie's family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Ark on the River and Donna Perron for the extraordinary care she was given in her final weeks.
A visitation will be held from 1-3 pm, Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at Grandstrand Funeral Home in Lindstrom, MN with a 2 p.m. celebration of life. Condolences may be expressed online at www.grandstrandfh.com.
Comments:
Commenting has been disabled for this item.