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Juanita C. "Johnnie" Timm
February 4, 1924 - January 14, 2011
Juanita Christine "Johnnie" Timm, 86, Newell, died
Friday, January 14, 2011, at the Rapid City Regional Hospital.
Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 29, 2011, at the Newell Evangelical Church with Pastors Tom Martin and John Williamson officiating.
Johnnie was born February 4, 1924, on the family ranch near Newell to Hugo and Emma (Jensson) Reiche. She attended the Schultz Country School on the Homestead and graduated from Newell High School in 1941. She worked in Belle Fourche at a drug store and soda fountain where she met William Timm.
On February 21, 1950, she married William "Bud" Timm at Miles City, MT. The couple lived in Belle Fourche before moving to the Reiche ranch. Bud and Johnnie soon purchased the ranch. Johnnie was able to take care of her father and help Bud on the ranch. She enjoyed her garden, canning, flowers, and was an excellent shot with her .410. In 1979, they bought the Ray Schild farm on the Horse Creek and Belle Fourche River where they worked both places for several years.
In 1984, the couple retired and moved to Newell where Johnnie continued to take care of her family. She was a wonderful cook and loved being a grandmother to many.
Survivors include her sons, Casey (Debra) Timm, Vale, and Gary Timm, Newell; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bud; one son, Lance; two brothers, Sig and Hugo; and three sisters, Hilda, Irma, and Louise.
Memorials have been established to the Newell Ambulance and Fire Departments.
Marie Cooper
November 4, 1919 - January 13, 2011
Ina Marie “Marie” (Sewright) Cooper, 91, Piedmont, passed away Thursday, January 13, 2011, at Sturgis Regional Senior Care.
Services will be Tuesday, January 18, 2011 at 2:00 pm at Grace United Methodist Church in Piedmont with Pastor Howie Baird officiating.
Visitation will be Monday from 5:00-9:00pm at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis. Burial will be in Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.
A memorial has been established to the Grace United Methodist Church.
Marie was born November 4, 1919, to William A. and Florence M. Sewright in Buffalo Gap, S.D.
She attended grade school and high school in Buffalo Gap, graduating in 1935. For two years she attended the College of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Wash., returning to South Dakota to attend Black Hills Commercial College, Rapid City, where she graduated in 1941.
In 1941 she joined the bookkeeping department of Tri-State Milling Company, Rapid City, where she met the love of her life, Clayton W. “Skinny” Cooper. They were married February 20, 1942, in Rapid City.
A month later Clayton was inducted into the U.S. Army, and for the next two years Marie joined him at posts in Indio, Calif., Trenton, N.J., and Abilene, Texas, before he was sent overseas to the WWII European Front March, 1944. Clayton was discharged and returned to South Dakota in October 1945. Marie and Clayton lived for a year in Rapid City and then moved to Piedmont, where Marie lived until moving to Sturgis in 2009.
Marie loved to garden, maintaining a beautiful yard and each fall canning copious amounts of home-grown fruits and vegetables. Her pastry cooking skills made the Cooper home a popular stop for neighbor children – especially at Halloween, when she provided homemade sugar doughnuts.
For 14 years she and Clayton lived on a 100-acre farm on the northwest corner of Piedmont, raising a few cattle and chickens while Clayton pursued a career at Tri-State Milling. They were a fine-tuned team: Marie churned butter, made cottage cheese, and baked (always with Trisco flour). While she yearned to be an artist, she was comfortable with farm life; her father raised and sold cattle and meat for many years.
When the growing Piedmont School needed a gymnasium, the townspeople erected a Ponderosa pine poles structure, and for many years the school association sponsored weekend dances to pay for it. Marie cooked hundreds of pounds of beef to serve the hungry Piedmont Gym dance-goers.
In 1966 the family sold the farm buildings and moved to a new home nestled in the pines of the Piedmont foothills.
Marie encouraged her children to carefully observe and thoroughly learn about the outdoors and the minerals, plants and animals of the Black Hills. She was an active 4-H parent, gently reminding her children of their commitments to their livestock, plant identification and clothing projects, as well as their communities.
She was a charter member of the Piedmont Sewing Circle and Piedmont Valley American Legion Auxiliary. She was an Eastern Star member since 1947; a member of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary and Beta Sigma Phi; and a long-time member of Grace United Methodist Church of Piedmont, where she taught Sunday School for many years.
She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Connie Cooper of Faribault, Minn., and Steven and Melany Cooper of Port Deposit, Md.; three daughters and sons-in-law, Kay and David Arnio of Spearfish, Nancy(Worth)and Mike Mullen of Piedmont, and Carol and David Nielsen of West Jordan, Utah; 10 grandchildren, Jacqueline Worth, Greg Cooper, Jessica Arnio-Jensen, Ben Cooper, Erica Holmes-Jensen, Nicholi Arnio, Matt Arnio, Donald Holmes, Stephanie Cooper and Danny Cooper; 5 step-grandchildren, Duston Mullen, Preston Mullen, Trishelle Mullen, Adam Mullen and Kari Mullen-Coleman; 4 great-grandchildren; 14 step-great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Alta (Leonard) McVay of Piedmont and Martha Patterson of Sturgis; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Lloyd and Floyd; two sisters, Dorothy Thompson and Edith Butler; and her husband of 51 years, Clayton.
Robert I. Murphey
August 24, 1928 - March 8, 2011
Robert I. Murphey, 82, Sturgis, died Tuesday, March 8, 2011, at Rapid City Regional Hospital.
Visitation will be Friday from noon to 9:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Sturgis with Rev. Denzel Nonhof officiating. Burial will be Monday, March 14th at 2:00 p.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery with military honors provided by the Sturgis Veteran's Honor Guard.
Bob was born August 24, 1928, near White Owl, SD, to Ira C. and Minnie M. (Beehler) Murphey. He grew up in the White Owl and Alkali area. Bob enlisted in the US Army in 1946 and served in Italy. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Sturgis, settling in Sturgis. He went to work for the Anderson Hardware and Furniture Store and later became a partner in ownership.
Bob married Bernice Ziegler August 5, 1954, in Sturgis. They have lived in Sturgis since.
Bob was a member of the Presbyterian Church and sang with the church choir for many years. He was a member of the Olive Branch Masonic Lodge #47 AF and AM and was a past master. He was active in the Hills and Plains NRA, was a member of Sturgis Golden K Kiwanis, and was a member of the Sturgis Volunteer Fire Department for many years.
He is survived by his wife, Bernice Murphey, Sturgis; one sister, Thelma Herbst, Kallispell, MT; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Ethel and Mildred; and three brothers, Ed, Ralph, and Gale.
A memorial has been established to the First Presbyterian Church.
Floyd Charles Colwell
October 31, 1929 - March 4, 2011
Floyd Charles Colwell, 81, Rapid City, passed away Friday, March 4, 2011, at the Hospice House in Rapid City after an extended illness.
Memorial services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, April 15, 2011, at Knollwood Heights United Methodist Church, 320 E. College St. in Rapid City with Pastor Gary Walters officiating. Inurnment with military honors by the Sturgis Veterans Honor Guard follows at 2 p.m. at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.
Floyd was born October 31, 1929 in Geddes, SD to Lloyd and Mabel (Collinge) Colwell. He worked the family farm until he was drafted.
Floyd served in the United States Army during the Korean War as an ambulance driver. He earned the Korean Service Medal, Bronze Service Star, United Nations Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. He also served 8 years in the Army Reserves and is a member of the American Legion Post 22 in Rapid City.
A quiet and private man, Floyd exhibited a strong work ethic, a patriotic spirit, and a deep love for his family
His pride and passion was in raising and training horses, and he excelled at any job he took on, including trucking, maintenance work, electrical work and farming.
Floyd married Arlene Van Buskirk on January 5, 1973, in Scotland, SD.
Floyd and Arlene moved to Rapid City, SD in 1996 and Floyd worked for Rodeway Inn until June 2010.
Survivors included his wife Arlene Colwell, Rapid City; Children, Christy Baumiller (Scott), Piedmont, SD, Bruce Van Buskirk (Roxanne), Lee’s Summit, MO, Lisa Thompson (DJ), Box Elder, SD; Sisters Bonnie Losing, Beulah Petzoldt, Ruby Fisher (Helmuth), all of Scotland, SD; Grand Children, Catherine Baumiller, Bend, OR, Craig Baumiller (Emily) Piedmont, SD, Jennifer Van Buskirk , Brett Van Buskirk, Alex Van Buskirk, all of Lee’s Summit, MO, Cole Thompson and Cooper Thompson, both of Box Elder, SD; Great Grand Child Ryan Baumiller, Piedmont, SD.
Preceding him in death are his parents, Lloyd and Mabel Colwell and his first wife, Sally J (Hall) Colwell, Jeromesville, Ohio.
The family requests memorials to be directed to Hospice House of Rapid City.
What the caterpillar perceives is the end, to the butterfly is just the beginning.
Patricia Mary Oban
February 6, 1933 - February 27, 2011
Patricia Mary Oban, 78, Sturgis, died Sunday, February 27, 2011, at the Sturgis Regional Hospital.
Visitation will be 8 a.m. until noon on Thursday at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis. Rosary services will begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday evening at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 1 p.m. Friday at St. Francis in Sturgis with Fr. Kerry Prendiville officiating. Burial will be at Oakdale Memorial Park in Glendora, CA, at a later date.
Patricia was born February 6, 1933 in Aberdeen, SD, to Walter and Ida (Cain) Davidson. She attended school at the Cathedral in Sioux Falls and also the School for the Deaf. She loved to roller skate and that is how she met Bud.
She married Bud Oban in Luverne, MN on September 6, 1949. The couple moved to California where Pat was employed assembling HAM radios. Pat and Bud owned and operated several businesses. Pat also worked as an aide at a preschool. In 1989 they moved to Sturgis. Pat loved to play Bingo and she was a lifetime member of the Sturgis VFW Auxiliary. At the time of her death she worked for the City of Deadwood. She was also a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church.
Survivors include her daughters, Debra "Tiny" Dauer, Sturgis, Brenda Varney, Oregon; son Rodney "Punk" Oban, Victorville, CA; half brother, Charlie Kaul, Wichita, KS; nine grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, three sons and three sisters.
Shirley Cecilia Courville
November 22, 1929 - February 25, 2011
Shirley Cecilia Courville, 81, of Sturgis, SD died at her home on Friday, February 25, 2011. Visitation will be Monday, February 28, 2011 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a rosary and Christian prayer service beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis with Father Arnold Kari officiating. Interment will follow at St. Aloysius Cemetery in Sturgis.
Shirley was born November 22, 1929 to William and Julia Marie (Dwyer) Bartlett in Butte, MT. She attended school in Butte. She worked for Fred Meyer variety store as a sales clerk for 22 years in both Polson and Kalispell, MT. Following her retirement in 1996, Shirley moved to Sturgis.
Shirley was an excellent cook and baker and enjoyed tending to her houseplants, but her family and religion were most important in her life.
Shirley is survived by one son Bill (Jill) Netterberg of Sturgis; three daughters Sharon Davis of Sturgis, Karen (Richard) Johnson of Spearfish and Carol (Todd) Berry of Sturgis; eleven grandchildren, Lisa Lewis, Matt Eixenberger, Julie Hermann, Steven Netterberg, Jodie Handran, Sarah Netterberg, Adrian Netterberg, Rose Kellem, Aarron Berry, Michael Berry, and Cody Berry; thirteen great-grandchildren Kylie, Baby Boy Eixenberger, Garrett, Kole, McKenzie, Keely, Ethan, Eric, Elsie, Eli, Tarron, Gabriel, Tzion; and two nieces, Debbie and Sheila.
She was preceded in death by both parents, her sisters and their husbands Marie (Charles) Erb, and Dorothy (Bob) Bryant and one nephew Carl Bryant.
A memorial has been established to Hospice of the Northern Hills.
James C Larson
April 6, 1943 - February 25, 2011
James C. Larson, 67, Belle Fourche, passed away at his home on February 25, 2011, surrounded by his loved ones.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 2, 2011, at 2:30 p.m. the Black Hills Gospel Assembly Church in Belle Fourche with Pastor Kenny Riley officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service time at the church. Interment will follow at the Pine Slope Cemetery in Belle Fourche.
James was born at Lawrence, Kansas, on April 6, 1943, to Sam and Charlene (Tabor) Larson. He married Carol (McQueen) Larson on March 28, 1966, in Denver, CO.
James is survived by his wife, Carol; six daughters, Denise (Bobby) Whitson of Oklahoma, Dorothy (Hank) Engelhaupt of Sundance, Darlena Phillips of Reno, NV, and Debra Tillman, Carla (Kacee) Spaulding, and Karen (Donnie) Kurzenberger, all of Belle Fourche; one son, Rustin Larson of Belle Fourche; 19 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; brothers, Harold "Gene" of Nevada, John of Minnesota, Timothy of Rapid City, and Mark of Belle Fourche; and sisters, Carolyn Reilly and Darlene Conditt, both of Belle Fourche, and Sandra Turnwall of Arizona.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charlene and Sam; brother, Sammy "Joe" Larson; and two great-granddaughters, Kaitlyn and Mollie.
A memorial has been established.
Loren M. Jerde
August 21, 1934 - February 22, 2011
Funeral services for Loren M. Jerde will be Thursday, March 3rd at 2:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel and Friday, March 4th at 11:00 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Zeona followed by internment at the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Zeona. Visitation will be Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until the time of the service.
Loren was born in Hettinger, ND on August 21, 1934 to O.M. and Benna (Larson) Jerde. He attended grade school at the Sorum School and high school at Spearfish and Bison, graduating from Bison High School. He grew up on the family ranch, which he later purchased from his parents. Loren was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Zeona, SD and confirmed at Skoger Lutheran Church at Sorum, SD. With the cessation of services at Skoger in the 1960's he transferred his membership to Immanuel Lutheran at Zeona. He was very active in church and community affairs. Loren was a member of the Slim Buttes Lutheran Church Choir for many years. He served forty-four years as director and treasurer of the Sorum Fire Department. He attended auctioneer school and enjoyed his involvement with the Carnegie Class. Loren was a partner in the St. Onge Livestock Commission. He never lost his love for cattle and the openness of the prairie where he lived.
Because of failing health Loren moved into Sturgis Regional Senior Care in November 2010. He joined his Lord and others of his ransomed family in heaven on February 22, 2011.
Loren will best be remembered for his willingness to help his friends and neighbors and yes, strangers too. He was the personification of the poem by Sam Walter Foss (1897) in his poem "The House by the Side of the Road" that begins with this quote from Homer: "He was a friend to man, and lived in a house by the side of the road."
Loren is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Myron and Marilyn Jerde; his sister and brother-in-law, Beverley and Ted Redding; ten nieces and nephews; thirty-five great nieces and nephews; and seven cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorials may be given to Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery of Zeona, the Sunday radio broadcast from Reva Lutheran Church, or a charity of your choice.
Agnes Cecelia Mayer
April 27, 1909 - February 22, 2011
Agnes Cecelia Mayer, 101, Sturgis, died at the Sturgis Community Health Center, Berry Unit, on Tuesday, February 22, 2011.
Visitation will be Sunday, February 27th from noon to 9:00 p.m. with a rosary and Christian prayer service beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel.
Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, February 28, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church with Father Arnold Kari officiating. Burial will follow at St. Aloysius Catholic Cemetery in Sturgis.
Agnes Mayer was born near Volunteer in rural Meade County, SD, on April 27, 1909, to Anton and Mary Ann (Fuetsche) Meyer. She grew up on a farm located on lower Bear Butte Valley. She attended country school and Sturgis Public school. Agnes spent her childhood working with her dad in the fields and for a time, transported seven children to schools where there was an available teacher.
Agnes married Chester Swain in 1931 and the following year their daughter, Norma Jean was born. This began the 68-year span of loving devotion and sacrifice of a mother for a daughter whom she cared for until 1999 when Norma Jean moved to the Massa Unit of Sturgis Community Health Care Center.
In 1950, Agnes married John O. Mayer and in 1959 the couple and Norma Jean moved to Whitewood where she resided until 2002. She lived in Sturgis until 2004 when she moved to Tender Care in Spearfish.
Agnes enjoyed gardening, fishing, and crocheting and later in life enjoyed weekly trips to Deadwood for a fun day of playing the machines. She was a driving force in the Whitewood Senior Citizens Center and belonged to the St. Francis of Assisi Church in Sturgis as well as the Altar Society.
Survivors include her daughter, Norma Jean Swain of Sturgis; sister-in-law Ruth Sheen, Billings, MT; nephews Duane E. (Mary Ellen) Hoover, Newbury Park, CA; Chris P. Doran, O'Fallon, IL; Anthony McNeill, Livingston, MT; and niece Mary Katherine (Bob) Garness, Rapid City, SD. Also surviving her are special nieces and nephew Carrie and Doug Hoover of California and Harriet Young of Rapid City, SD as well as numerous other nieces and nephews.
Agnes is preceded in death by her parents and both husbands. Also preceding her in death are her four sisters Theresa Doran, Mary McNeill, Leona Hudson, Regina Meyer and her brother Otto "Bud" Meyer.
A memorial has been established to the St. Aloysius Cemetery.
Mildred Iva Crockford
May 14, 1912 - February 19, 2011
Mildred Iva Crockford, 98, Sturgis, died Saturday, February 19, 2011, at the Sturgis Regional Senior Care.
Visitation will be noon until 9:00 p.m. on Monday February 28, 2011, at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 1, 2011, at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis with Rev. Jil Jennewein officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date at the Bear Butte Cemetery in Sturgis.
A memorial has been established to the Faith School Fund.
Mildred was born May 14, 1912, on the family ranch east of Tilford, SD, to William G. and Bertha B. (Clark) Hanks. She moved to Sturgis in 1919 with her family where she attended grade and high school. Following graduation, she attended Spearfish Normal and taught at rural schools until she went to work as a dental assistant for Dr. Riedesel.
On May 21, 1936, she married Arthur W. Crockford at Rapid City, SD. The couple lived in the Vale Community and Mildred returned to teaching. She taught at the Wetz, Highland, Cottonwood, and the Bench schools for several years. After moving to Sturgis in 1962, she worked at the Red Owl store and the Meade County Assessors office. She retired from the Bear Butte Valley Bank.
Mildred was active in volunteer work for the Meade County Senior Citizens in Sturgis and Faith. She was a member of AARP. Mildred enjoyed sewing and needlework.
Survivors include her son, James (Karen) Crockford, Faith; grandson, Lyle; granddaughters, Terry and DeeAnn; 6 great-grandchildren; several nieces, including Gerrie Olson, Sturgis; and several nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, three grandchildren, two sisters, three brothers, and her daughter-in-law.
Violetta May "Dolly" Mitchell
June 7, 1918 - February 21, 2011
Violetta May "Dolly" Mitchell, 92, of Buffalo, SD, died Monday, February 21, 2011.
Visitation will be Thursday from noon to 9:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.
Funeral services will be held Friday, February 25, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. at the UCC Congregational Church in Buffalo with Pastor Tom Martin officiating. Burial will follow at the Buffalo Cemetery.
Dolly was born June 7, 1918, to Harry and Jessie Henderson on their ranch near Harding, SD. She attended country school until going to Buffalo where she graduated High School in 1937.
Dolly married Darrell W. Mitchell November 18, 1938. They lived and worked on the Vroman Ranch until they moved to Buffalo in the fall of 1942 where they lived and raised their family.
She took in teacher and student borders from the area while they attended school. She also was the City Treasurer, worked at the hardware store numerous times through the years, owned a dress shop, was a seamstress, worked at The Oasis Café, Clanton's OK Corral, and worked with her daughter, Pennee, at her store, Material Things. Dolly was known for her great cooking, serving many lunches to her daughter, grandkids, and many friends.
Dolly was an active member of the community, the UCC Congregational Church, a 60-year member of the Eastern Star, the study club, and a birthday club. She enjoyed attending sports events and rodeos with her kids and grandkids. Many knew her as "Grandma Dolly," and was a friend to everyone she met. She was a loving wife and a wonderful mother.
Thankful to have shared her life are her sons, C.D. (Lavonne) Mitchell, Rapid City, and Mike (Bertha) Mitchell, Yuacaipa, CA; her daughters, Pennee (Bret) Clanton, Buffalo, and Kellee (Gary) Cordingly, Nisland; seven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren with two on the way; and six nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her step-father, Carl Heairet; one sister, Willo Heairet; one brother, Jack Henderson; brother-in-law, Bud Heairet; niece, Nikki Ann Heairet Bogard; nephew, Jeff Henderson; and uncle, Jim Henderson.
Memorials have been established to the Congregational Church and to community organizations.
Aubrey Anne Bonnichsen
December 15, 1995 - February 18, 2011
Aubrey Anne Bonnichsen, 15, Sturgis, won her 20-month battle with brain cancer on Friday, February 18, 2011, when she flew into the welcoming arms of her Savior while surrounded by her loving family and friends at her home.
Visitation will be noon until 5 p.m. on Monday at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel.
Funeral services will be 6 p.m. Tuesday, February 22, 2011, at Believers Fellowship Church in Sturgis with Pastor John Williamson officiating. Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 23, 2011, at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis. Friends and family are encouraged to meet at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis prior to leaving for the cemetery.
Aubrey was born December 15, 1995, at Deadwood, SD, to Tim and Brenda (Padalski) Bonnichsen. She attended Believers Fellowship Academy (K-4th grade) and Sturgis Public Schools (5th-9th grade.) Aubrey never did anything average or by the book. She had her own unique and fantastic way. She was a purposeful artist who drew, not for herself, but for those she loved. Often, symbols of her faith could be found in her artwork. Aubrey was a Titanic buff and also an avid reader. She enjoyed reading book series. Among her favorites: Harry Potter, Chronicles of Narnia, The Hobbit, Percy Jackson, Tales from the Odyssey, Spiderwicke Chronicles, Eragon, Pendragon and Warriors, as well as books on history, Egyptology, paleontology and especially military history. She would be proud to know she will be laid to rest among the heroes of our country.
From a young age, Aubrey preferred to play with stuffed animals as opposed to dolls. Her love of animals carried over into her later years as she aspired to become either a veterinarian or zoologist. This love of animals inspired her extensive collection of Webkins. She knew each one by name.
Aubrey was a member of the Lim Kenpo Ohana of South Dakota (Karate Family). While training with her little sister Chloe, Aubrey achieved a purple belt. She embraced all of the character and honor teachings of her Ohana, which centered on faith in God.
Aubrey’s love of learning never stopped. Just a few of the things she enjoyed learning were piano and guitar, along with her most recent conquests of Spanish and cooking.
Part of Aubrey’s determination to fight was fueled by the goals she set for herself. The milestones she achieved along the way included performing in the South Dakota Children’s Theater, obtaining her learner’s permit and learning to drive, attending her freshman year at Sturgis Brown High School, and participating in the Marine Corp JROTC program.
In June of 2009, Aubrey was diagnosed with a Diffuse Pontine Glioma, an inoperable, incurable brain tumor. She was treated at Denver Children's Hospital and came home on August 12, 2010, into hospice care. Through it all, Aubrey didn't quit; she was a fighter until the end. She never complained and was always polite and thankful to everyone who cared for her. Never once in her battle with cancer did she ask “Why me?” or blame God.
Survivors include her parents, Tim and Brenda Bonnichsen, Sturgis; her little sister, Chloe Bonnichsen, Sturgis; grandmother, Betty (Kent) Vance; grandfather, Stan Padalski, all of Colorado Springs, CO; and numerous aunts, uncles, and other cousins.
She was preceded in death by her maternal great grandmother, Grace Wagner, and her Uncle Edward Padalski both of Colorado Springs, CO; her paternal grandparents Betty and Justen Bonnichsen of Colorado Springs.
A memorial has been established.
