September 27,1948- May 18, 2024
Bonnie was born to Phyllis JoAnn Axe and Clifford Roger Burnham, In Kalamazoo Michigan, September 27, 1948. She moved with her family in the summer of 1962 to San Marcos California, where she grew up with her younger brothers Jeff, Cliff and Sister Colleen on Johnston Lane. She attended high school with Barbara Mandrell. When she was fifteen, she met the love of her life Kevin Reese. Together they had three beautiful girls, Lisa Dawn, Robin April, and Crystyll Brooke. They were married on October 15, 1966. Together they bought their first home in Lakeside but ended up in Alpine. They started a business together in 1983, El Dorado Sandblasting. Bonnie spent many years working in the office, before she opened her own dollhouse shop in Alpine, called the Victorian Courtyard. Bonnie loved to create things from crochet, painting, miniatures, clay figures and so much more. Her attention to detail and design was uncanny. Bonnie had a love for knowledge and history, she was an avid reader with an amazing memory. She could recall all the details and retell a story with excitement and so much detail it’s like you were living in the moment. Bonnie had a love of music and enjoyed playing her guitar and singing with her best friend Cathy James Benoit, they even recorded a 45 record and wrote two songs, one called “you better look before you leap”. They were invited to attend the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville where they met Johnny Cash and June Carter. She wrote a song in the 70’s about the Lakeside fire and was featured in the lakeside chamber of commerce with a picture of her and her guitar and the lyrics to the song. She enjoyed volunteering for the Lakeside Gym Kana rodeo where her daughters competed in barrel racing. Bonnie and Kevin enjoyed bringing their children, parents and even their grand children on educational trips around the country, seeing the California Redwoods and the Golden Gate Bridge was always included among many more beautiful and historical places, Bonnie always knew all the historical facts of the places they visited. Bonnie loved cherished animals and would care for many dogs, cats, birds, chickens, quail, fish and even horses over the years. Bonnie shared her love for Christ throughout her life with all those she loved, she knew she was a daughter of the Lord Jesus and would meet her loved ones in Heaven when her time came.
She is preceded in death by her brothers, Cliff and Jeff and her daughter Crystyll. She is survived by her husband Kevin, sister Colleen, Daughters Lisa, and Robin. Her Grand Children Amanda, Davy, Kendra, Tiffany, Dakota, Mario, and Madalynn. Her Great Grand Children Carson, Isaac, Kevin, Emilyn, Willow, Brylee, Ivaan, Eliana, and Paysen and Markie.
She will be laid to rest at Singing Hills Memorial Park, next to her daughter Crystyll on May 31, 2024, following a service at 9:00am at Oasis Church in El Cajon. There will be a celebration of life after at her daughter Lisa’s home in Alpine.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.11.0