Bonnie Stottlemyer
March 06, 2012
Bonnie Lee (Ahrens) Stottlemyer, 75, passed away Tuesday, March 6, 2012. Services will be held at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines. The funeral will be Saturday, March 10 at 11 a.m. with a visitation on Friday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Bonnie was born on July 13, 1936 to Christopher and Elizabeth Ahrens at home in rural Huntley, MN. She graduated from Blue Earth High School and then moved to Des Moines where she attended AIB for a secretarial program, graduating in 1956. Bonnie then went to work at Veteran’s Administration Hospital and stayed for 30 years before retiring. On April 13, 1958 she married James Stottlemyer in Blue Earth, MN. They had nearly 54 happy years together. Bonnie’s delight was taking care of family and friends. She loved entertaining, shopping, camping, traveling and participating in dog shows. When it came time for the holiday’s – any holiday – Bonnie loved to decorate. She was also an avid and lifelong Minnesota Vikings and Twins fan.
She will be greatly missed by her husband, Jim; children, Robyn (John Swyers) Stottlemyer of West Des Moines, IA and J.P. Stottlemyer of Osceola, IA; granddaughter, Shelby Heath of Waukee, IA; siblings, Michael (Edie) Joel, Wayne “Toby” (Faye) Joel all of Everett, WA, Gloria Best of Cohassett, MN; and her sister-in-law, Celeste Joel of Coon Rapids, MN; and many nieces and nephews. Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents; her step-father, Wayne Joel; siblings, Donnis Ahrens and Robert Joel; and special family members, Walter, Rose, Arthur and Clarence King.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the family for a donation to Mosaic of Osceola.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Mary Dickman Stevermer
03/14/2012
Jim and family,
I was a classmate of Bonnie's at BEHS and thought of her especially when we had class reunions. I decided in the last month that I should call her and see about getting together for coffee or lunch as I go to visit our triplet grandchildren in West Des Moines. I'm sorry I didn't follow up on that idea. I pulled out my high school scrapbooks to look up your wedding picture and find it hard to believe she is gone. Please know you have our thoughts and prayers as you cope with your loss. She was a good friend though we didn't maintain our contacts through the years.
With Sympathy,
Mary and Emmett Stevermer
Mary Mohrhauser
03/08/2012
Robyn, John, Jim and Family:
There is little that helps during this time of loss. Please know your friends are here to offer comfort and support now and down the road as you try to cope. Talk to you soon.
Mary
Cindy Irvin
03/08/2012
Thoughts and Prayer Robyn! ~ Mark & Cindy Irvin