Bonnie Lue Lund

Bonnie was born on December 24, 1932 in Ulman, Missouri, just minutes before her twin sister, Bea. Bonnie’s large family included her twin as well as six additional siblings. This large, close-knit family moved from Missouri to Parker, Washington when Bonnie was 10, where she eventually established her roots.

At age 16, Bonnie and Bea met friends John Lund and Phil Beers, and just three short months later, the twins married the two friends in a double wedding on August 5, 1949 in Parker, Washington in her family home. Bonnie’s parents allowed the twins to marry so early as long as they completed high school. However, when Bonnie and John moved and she tried to enroll in high school, school personnel informed her that she could not attend after being married. This was a great disappointment.

Bonnie and John shared many different adventures over their 66 years of marriage. John was a United States Air Force officer, and while in the military, Bonnie and John lived in all four corners of the United States and abroad, including Okinawa and Germany. Bonnie, John, and their growing family, including children Sandy, John, and Kathy, enjoyed moving around the world. As the wife of an officer, Bonnie had to be ready for the moves, and she was also left alone with the three children for long periods while John completed remote tours in Ontario, Canada and Iceland. She proved to be a strong woman in raising her children, and a strong supporter of the military life, volunteering as a Gray Lady and as the coordinator of the Family Services Program. An Air Force Colonel recognized her contributions to the military and honored her with a dinner. John retired from the military in 1970, and they maintained many lifelong friendships with their military friends. In 1973, the family moved from Reno, Nevada back to Washington State to be near her large extended family. She lived in Harrah for 27 years, until moving to Yakima.

After leaving military life, Bonnie sold Avon for approximately 25 years. She was quite the sales woman, winning many awards. With her expansive route, she even recruited John to make deliveries! However, over this time, she never forgot her promise to her parents to finish high school. At age 69, she decided to fulfill her promise to her parents, even though they had passed away as had her twin sister. Although she described herself as “embarrassed” and “ashamed” at being the oldest person in her class trying to complete her GED, she persevered. On June 6, what would have been her mother’s 100th birthday, Bonnie graduated with her high school diploma and was honored with the privilege of speaking on behalf of her GED graduating class.

Bonnie had a zest for life and a wicked sense of humor. Family gatherings were important to her, as she greatly loved her children and grandchildren, who she took great pride in spoiling. She always had a good joke to tell, whether appropriate or not, and she was always ready to play a game of cards or dice. Bonnie’s other hobbies included shopping, embroidering, cross-stitching, completing crossword puzzles, and going to the casino, where she made many deposits.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents, Adrian and Brooks Lamb, brothers Walt, Jim, Phil, and Bill, sisters Cleta and Bea, and children John Earl Lund and Sandy Wollam. Bonnie is survived by her husband John; sister and best friend Shirley (Dennis); children John Lund and Kathy (Patrick) Christopher; grandchildren Candace (Pieter), Tawnya (Kevin), Travis (Lindsey), and Nicole; and great-grandchildren Brittany, Tori, Spencer, Sydney, Nicolaas, and Halle; and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at Englewood Christian Church in Yakima, Washington on November 10 at 1:00 pm. Following this event, there will be a reception at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes fund. To celebrate the life of Bonnie and share a memory visit www.lepfuneralhome.com.