Obituaries : Bonita M. Wilson

Bonita M. Wilson, 92, of Van Horne, Iowa, was welcomed into heaven on January 17, 2024, at the Keystone Nursing Care Center following a short illness.

A private family graveside service at Salem Cemetery, Van Horne, will be held later this year.

Bonita Mae Brehm was born on September 27, 1931, at the Fry family farm east of Van Horne, the daughter of Herman and Mildred (Fry) Brehm. She attended school in Van Horne where she excelled playing basketball, was a cheerleader, and participated in vocal music and other school activities. She graduated in 1949 as the class valedictorian.

On August 29, 1952, Bonita was united in marriage to William Keith Wilson at the E.U.B. parsonage in Meservey, Iowa. They were the proud parents of two children.

Bonita attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls for two years receiving her teaching certificate. She was then employed at the Blairstown Elementary School for two years teaching kindergarten. She was then a homemaker until both her children entered school. She taught sixth grade at Van Horne for the 1962-1963 school year. Bonita received her bachelor's degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 1972. She completed her career teaching third grade at the Blairstown and Keystone Elementary Centers of the Benton Community School District for 29 years, retiring in 1993. Bonita was a kind, caring, and compassionate teacher who treated her students with respect. She influenced many lives during her 32 years of teaching.

Bonita was very involved in her church and community. She was a lifetime member of Salem United Methodist Church where she faithfully served in many capacities and on various committees in the church and women's groups while holding numerous offices. She also helped with the church's afterschool program for the children on Wednesdays assisting with the preparation of meals and snacks. Bonita participated in the women's group that made, wrote, and sent cards to church members. Bonita and Bill delivered Meals on Wheels for many years and served together on the Salem Cemetery Association Board. They also made two mission trips to Red Bird Mission in Kentucky to help residents of Appalachia. Bonita served on the Van Horne Library Board for many years. She was also a member of the Van Horne American Legion Auxiliary for sixty-eight years.

Bill and Bonita were truly soulmates and partners. They functioned as a team. In their younger years, Bonita and Bill were members of card clubs with their friends and bowled in a mixed doubles league. They enjoyed fishing as well. Bonita worked alongside of Bill when they tore down an old house and Bill built a new home for their family. They enjoyed attending plays and musicals at KRNT Theater in Des Moines and Old Creamery Theater in both Garrison and Amana. Bonita and Bill loved the many hours they spent together while attending antique shows and auctions. They both enjoyed their retirement years making new friends as they traveled throughout the United States and Canada on many bus tours.

Bonita's family members, both immediate and extended, were the most important people in her life. Cooking and baking for her family brought Bonita great joy. Everyone especially loved her cinnamon rolls and sticky buns. Bonita was an accomplished seamstress making many of her children's and her own clothes. Bonita cared for her mother and mother-in-law when each lived with her family when they were sick. Her father-in-law ate supper with them almost every night after his wife died. She enjoyed attending as many of her children and grandchildren's activities as well as those of her nieces and nephews that she could. Family was everything to Bonita.

Bonita moved to the Keystone Care Center in August of 2019 where she thoroughly enjoyed watching and interacting with the students at the elementary school next door. She enjoyed her time there as well as the many friends she made among the residents and staff. She considered them to be her second family. Bonita and her family were always appreciative of the excellent care she received from the staff.

Those left to honor and cherish Bonita's memory are her children, Julie (Jay) Villont, West Union, IA, and William J. (Ronda) Wilson, Tiffin, IA. She was the loving "Nana" to grandchildren: Jordan Tyler Villont (Melissa), West Salem, WI; Jarrod Keith Villont (Katie), Rochester, MN; Justin Robert Villont (Steffenee), Oelwein, IA; Nicole Elizabeth Nielsen (Matt), Bettendorf, IA; Olivia Lauren Harder (Gregg), Omaha, NE; Tanner William Wilson (friend Kaylee Scheer), Tiffin, IA. Her pride and joy were great-grandchildren, Maverick William, and Skylar Rose Villont, West Salem; Wilson Blais and Hadley Marie Villont, Rochester; Grace Marie Villont, Oelwein; Hailey Caitlin and Kinsley Mae Nielsen, Bettendorf; and Madeline Caitlin and Everly Josephine Harder, Omaha; Her sisters and brother, Lynda Hachmann, Evelyn (Larry) Wiebke, Joe (Marlys) Brehm as well as brother-in-law John Wilson and many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews also survive her.

Bonita was preceded in death by her loving husband of almost 66 years, William K. Wilson, on July 6, 2018; parents Herman and Mildred Brehm; in-laws John and Alice Schadle and Douglas and Maxine Wilson; sister, Judy Kuch; granddaughter, Caitlin Michelle Houck; brothers-in-law, Dick Hachmann, and Don Kuch; sister-in-law, Marilyn Wilson; and niece, Carol Wilson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to: Van Horne Public Library; Salem Cemetery Association, Van Horne; Keystone Elementary School.

Condolences may be mailed to P.O. Box 322, West Union, Iowa 52175.

Online condolences: www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com