Bonnie Compton McNurlen

Dr. Bonnie Grace Compton McNurlen, 84, of Des Moines, passed away in her sleep April 15, 2010.

Bonnie was born August 15, 1925, on a farm near Van Meter, Iowa, to Albert M. and Addie Mae (Hubbard) Compton. A few years later, the family settled in Valley Junction (West Des Moines). After graduating from the “old” Valley High School, Bonnie worked as a legal secretary for two years in order to earn enough money to attend Drake University.

While at Drake, Bonnie met Lewis J. “Lew” McNurlen, and they married in 1947. She earned both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in piano performance.

The couple spent eight years in Durham, N.C., where Lew earned his doctorate in sociology at Duke University and became assistant dean of men. Bonnie gave private piano lessons and served as music director for a small local church. Both of their children, Carolyn Anne and Robert Keith, were born at Duke Hospital.

The family returned to Iowa in 1957 when Lew accepted a teaching position at Drake. After earning the necessary certification, she began a 15-year career at Perkins Elementary School in Des Moines, teaching 5th and 6th grade language arts. She retired in 1985, the same year as Lew.

During that time Bonnie continued to play piano and was active in several local music organizations: Civic Music, B-Sharp Music Club, and Mu Phi Epsilon.

Always a believer in life-long learning, Bonnie spent the first years of her retirement working toward a Doctorate of Education degree in counseling. She co-facilitated “Sharing the Journey,” a support group for people with life-threatening illnesses and their loved ones. She also taught handwriting analysis in adult education for several years.

Believing in the principle of “healthy body, healthy mind,” she was physically active all of her life. She enjoyed her yoga classes and meditation-based Self-Realization Fellowship

Drake University was a part of Bonnie’s life from childhood (when she attended concerts there with her folks) through adulthood. Few things moved her to tears, but the Drake Hymn was one of them. She enjoyed participating in the Drake Alumni Association.

Left to mourn her passing – as they celebrate her life – are her children Carolyn (Dan) Rogers of Des Moines, Dr. Bob (Gail) McNurlen of West Des Moines, granddaughters Joanna and Maria McNurlen, cousin Marilyn (Carl) Halker of Edina, Minn., brother-in-law James Richard Hughes of Lilburn, Ga., nieces and nephews Mary Hughes, Scott (Bijayshree) Hughes, Nathan (Janet) Hughes, and Sarah (Ralph) Harrington, other members of the extended Compton and McNurlen families, and friends throughout her life that she counted as family, including her special friend since early childhood, Virginia (John) Cooper of Frederick, Md.

She was preceded in death by her parents, stepmother Laura Anderson Compton, older brother Robert Compton, husband Dr. Lewis J. McNurlen (1994), and younger sister Barbara Hughes.

Bonnie always believed in showing appreciation to people while they were alive and gave generously of her time and resources. In one of her journals she wrote, “Love never dies, and those we love are always with us.”

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, April 23, at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday evening, April 22, at the funeral home. In accordance with Bonnie’s wishes, her body has been donated to the University of Iowa Medical School.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Compton-McNurlen Scholarship Fund at Drake University or to the Des Moines Symphony.

www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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