Bonnie Pearl Ritch

Bonnie was born in Portland OR in 1932. She graduated from Grant High School (Portland). Childhood vacations on the Oregon coast resulted in Bonnie's lifelong love for the ocean. She attended Lewis & Clark College before getting married and starting her family. She moved to Bellevue in 1961 and lived the rest of her days in the area. For many years she worked at the Bellevue School District so that she could be “out of school” with the family and pursue her true passion in life: caring for her four children, her home and her yard. Bonnie was an avid gardener, like her parents and grandparents before her. She won ribbons for her floral arrangements, clipped from her own expansive and eclectic collection. As a young woman, Bonnie worked for Standard Oil Company and later in life she worked at Siemens in Issaquah for 15 years, retiring at age 75. Beyond her official duties there, she volunteered as resident mom, memorial garden curator and year-round holiday decorator.

Bonnie was involved in community service and various organizations, including Beta Sigma Phi, Bellevue Women’s Club, Toastmistress Int’l, Jaycees and VFW Post #2995. She and husband Dave were quite active for many years packing thousands of boxes to support our active troops. All Bonnie's jobs and activities were service related. She found contentment and joy in helping others.

Bonnie liked to travel: Navy ship reunions, class reunions, homes of children and families around the USA, plus many local group adventures with Alki Tours. She went white water rafting in her sixties and was always a stunning partner with Dave on the dance floor! She liked playing cards and was a gracious hostess well into her eighties.

Bonnie will be remembered for her amazing smile and contagious laughter. She loved and truly enjoyed her family, friends and community (and Dairy Queen Blizzards!).

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents Watrous “Bob” and Bernice Bushnell, brother Grant Bushnell, husband Dave Ritch and granddaughter Kristina Olsen.

She is survived by her children Debra (David) Paine of Tucson AZ, Kurt (Dena) Olsen of Pilot Rock OR, Theresa (Eric) Brownstein of Furlong PA, Melinda “Linna” Ritch and husband Rusty of Manson WA; grandchildren Bonny, Andrew, Jaron and Shawna; great grandchildren Jasmine, Jayla, Jayden, Adrianna, Maximus, Jordanna, Dean, Dylan and April; seven nieces and one nephew.

Services will be held at 10:00 am on April 22 at Sunset Hills Funeral Home with inurnment following at Tahoma National Cemetery. The family would love to see your photos and read your memories of Bonnie, which can be posted here at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/10611236