Virginia Bonner

Virginia Bonner

January 10, 1927 - June 03, 2024

Send Flowers

Obituary

STOUGHTON - Virginia "Ginny" (Welke) Bonner, age 97, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 3, 2024, at Agrace HospiceCare. She was born Jan. 10, 1927, in Madison, the daughter of Dr. Ernest and Leah Welke. She graduated from East High School in 1944. Her parents believed strongly that women should have a college education. Ginny graduated, with honors, from UW - Madison with a triple major in international relations, languages and political science. She spoke five languages and was in the first conversational Russian class offered by the U.W.


On Dec. 20, 1947, she married her prince charming, Bert Bonner. While Bert finished his education at U.W., she worked for the Planning Survey Department of the Wisconsin Highway Division, where she was responsible for compiling secondary road information on maps for the entire State.


Ginny and Bert raised three children while running their own business. She was the Mom who neighborhood kids could turn to, always finding cookies, Kool-Aid, a warm smile and an adult who would listen. She dearly loved her three children and all their friends. She was kind, caring and made everyone feel welcome. Ginny was ahead of her time; during the 1970s she ran the advertising/marketing for the family business from the dining room table-long before working from home was a thing. She even recruited her children to put address labels on advertising mailers.


Ginny was a dictionary and encyclopedia kid, spending hours reading them. She was always eager to learn new things. She and Bert loved dancing and boating. They travelled anywhere, anytime, through the 50 states and to every nook and cranny of beautiful Wisconsin. She maintained a beautiful garden well into her 80s, played the piano and organ, and dabbled in genealogy. At 97, Ginny was the "last woman standing" from their large group of friends and she looked forward to reuniting with them.


Ginny is survived by her children, Steve (Kathy) of Knoxville, Tenn., David of West Hollywood, Calif. and Vikki (John) Brueggeman of Stoughton; grandchildren, Patrick (Shelly) and Joseph O'Malley and Jason and Stephanie Bonner; step-grandchildren, Andrew (Mauri) Brueggeman and Stephanie (Jeff) Yazwa, Jeff (Erin) and David (Melissa) McManamy; great-grandchildren, Matthew, Samuel and Lily O'Malley, Raegan, Eliza and Louis Brueggeman, Dante and Gabriella Yazwa, Brianna McManamy; and sister-in-law, Karin (Art) Williams of Santee, Calif.


The family is deeply grateful to the caring staff at Kettle Park Senior Living and Agrace HospiceCare. A private family service was held. Memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777) in honor of her son, David, who has valiantly lived with Parkinson's for the past 25 years. Please share your memories at www.gundersonfh.com.


Gunderson Stoughton

Funeral & Cremation Care

1358 Highway 51 N. @ Jackson St.

(608) 873-4590


Events

There are no events for Virginia yet.

Photos

Add photos
of Virginia
No photos of Virginia have been shared yet.

Memories

Add a memory of
Virginia
CD
Charlene and Michael Dolfen
Other •
Steve, David and Vikki, I am deeply sorry for your loss. Your mother was a wonderful person who touched the lives of many including me. May you find strength and solace in the memories you shared together. Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the passing of your mother ❤️.
JD
Jane DeRosia
Other •
David, I am so sorry to hear of your mother's passing. She sounds like a great Mom and an all around wonderful person. Please accept my sincere condolences. Jane
SF
Susan and Kevin Fenton
Other •
We lived across the street from Bert and Ginny for 20 years. They were very kind neighbors, and we were grateful for their presence. The obituary painted a lovely picture - I was not aware of her many accomplishments! So sorry for the passing of an amazing woman.
JP
James Pahl-Washa
Other •
The Madison Sail & Power Squadron sends our sympathy with the loss of Ginny, a life member of our boating family. We have many great memories of Ginny and Bert, and know that they're now reunited. Ginny was an incredible and accomplished woman. She will be missed
NM
Nancy Mahnke
Other •
My parents were next door neighbors for over 50 years. The Bonners were wonderful neighbors. My condolences to the entire family. Joy comes from knowing Virginia knew her Lord and Savior and is in Heaven. Nancy Freeding Mahnke
DD
Donna Dusso
Other •
I met Ginny when she lived at Coventry Village. She ate at my mother’s table. I was a volunteer there and enjoyed conversations with Ginny as we were both East siders. She really knew how to handle her scooter and was a delightful person. She had an interesting life. My deepest sympathy to her family.

Share memorial