Laurel Leslie Bonner

Laurel Leslie Bonner, age 83, passed away peacefully on November 9, 2024. Leslie was born on November 26, 1940, in Wenatchee, Washington to George Leslie and Martha Kathryn (Borys) Pruitt. She grew up in Ephrata and her first job was as a carhop at Dusty’s. She worked many years as a telephone operator at Bell Telephone. Later in life, she worked at the gift shop Eleanor’s Fifth Avenue.

When she was 20 years old, she met Peter Bonner and it was love at first sight. They were married six months later on her 21st birthday. Pete and Leslie loved to go out dancing. Pete’s job gave them the opportunity to live in several different states over the years: Florida, Texas, Georgia, North Dakota, and Washington, eventually ending up in Yakima.

Leslie enjoyed art and took art classes at Sul Ross State University and the University of North Dakota. She could draw and paint anything. Many Christmases, the living room window was adorned with a holiday scene rivaling any store front. She volunteered her time creating backdrops for elementary school musicals.

Leslie loved reading, crossword puzzles, and jigsaw puzzles. She enjoyed going on Sunday drives and traveling with friends and family. She loved watching sports on television, especially basketball and the Seahawks.

Family was extremely important to her. She raised two daughters, Erinne and Kerry. When she became a grandmother, she declared that she would be called “Grambo” because “I’m tough like Rambo.” She doted on her children and grandchildren and could always be counted on to attend every music and sporting event.

Leslie is survived by her daughter Erinne Steinmetz and son-in-law Dan, daughter Kerry Youngblood, grandchildren Cody (Jareka), Ryder, and Aria, and great granddaughter Emily.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Pete, brothers Chip and Robert, grandson Hunter, and dear friend Kent Hogge.

Rest in peace, Grambo. You will be deeply missed, forever loved, and forever remembered.

A celebration of life will be held later in the spring.