It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Bonnie B. Stevens (91-½) on May 13, 2021 at home surrounded by her family after a courageous 7-year battle with illness. She was so happy to be home. Bonnie was born on August 31, 1929 to Oriole Winifred Simonsen and Seymour S. Beesley in Sugar City, Idaho. She grew up in Rexburg, Idaho and was the youngest of three children.

On July 1, 1952, she married a handsome young man, Donald G. Stevens, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. They met over a fender bender. Who knew a car wreck could bring two people together. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple on August 31, 1991. They started their family and adventure in North Dakota and later in Idaho Falls.  Don and Bonnie were together for 61 years until Don passed away in 2013.

As a baby, when it came time to give Bonnie a name and a blessing, her parents still had not thought of a name for her. Traveling to the church in a horse drawn wagon, her parents came upon a fellow farmer and friend. Upon asking where they were heading, Bonnie’s parents indicated they were traveling to the church to give their new baby girl a name and a blessing, but they did not know what to call her. The farmer friend suggested the name Bonnie, the same name as his favorite cow. That is how Bonnie got her name.  Needless to say, Bonnie never liked her name. Once she was asked what name she did like. “Catherine” she would exclaim! So, many times, she would be introduced as Catherine.

Growing up, Bonnie was very athletic, winning numerous foot races. During one Fourth of July town celebration, Bonnie won a foot race competing against both boys and girls. She was awarded a silver dollar. She always wished she had not spent that silver dollar and had kept it. Bonnie also had impeccable penmanship. In grade school, she was awarded a fountain pen for the student having the best penmanship. At a young age, Bonnie was swimming in the canal near her home in Rexburg. She soon found herself in trouble and started to drown. Her mother came to her rescue pulling her out of the swift water. Since then, Bonnie was never a fan of swimming.

Family was important to Bonnie, and she loved spending time together. For many years, the whole family would enjoy Saturday skiing at Kelly Canyon and Grand Targhee. There were also fishing trips and mom riding around the golf course with Don.

Bonnie was accomplished at cross-stitch producing fabulous works of art that she gave to family members. In 2007, she completed a cross-stitched art piece, a Monet. It took her over 6 months to complete with over 110,000 stitches. It won First Place in the Premium Division of the Idaho State Fair. Her prize was a Blue Ribbon and $10. She never spent the $10.

She was a mother and homemaker until her children were grown when she returned to the workplace. Initially, she worked in a doctor’s office doing receptionist work. Soon after, she started employment with EG&G Idaho working her way up to a computer technician. She enjoyed those years and met many wonderful friends.

Bonnie was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She served in numerous callings in the Church including Visiting Teacher, Primary Worker, and in the Relief Society Presidency. She loved the Savior and never wavered in her testimony of the Gospel.

Bonnie was known for being very kind. It did not matter who you were or if she even knew you, she would be kind to you. She was known for her love of her family. She constantly was concerned for their welfare even up to the time of her passing.  She would ask how you were feeling when it was she being checked on.

Bonnie is survived by her three Children: Valerie Fletcher (David) of Salt Lake City, Donald Arden Stevens (Teresa) of Idaho Falls, Kimberlee Stevens of Idaho Falls, 8 Grandchildren, 27 Great Grandchildren, and grand- doggies, Buttons and Gunner, both from Idaho Falls.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Donald G. Stevens, her parents and three siblings, Seymour S. Beesley, Norma Parkinson, and Donald (Bud) S. Beesley.

Honoring Bonnie’s wishes, a graveside service will be held on Friday, May the 21st, at noon, at the Fielding Memorial Cemetery on Yellowstone Hwy.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the many kind men and women in the medical profession who took care of her and to the many who stopped by to comfort and visit her prior to her passing.