MADISON - Bonnie Zenor Edwards, 88, of Madison, passed away on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at Noel Manor in Verona, Wis., with family close by. Bonnie was born on Oct. 18, 1935, to Herbert E. and Betty Alice (Johns) Brown in Peoria, Ill., where she attended elementary school and high school. She was a Claims Adjuster for CUNA Mutual Insurance, Madison, Wis., for 23 years.

Bonnie looked for wonder in the world. She found it in art and music; travel and adventure; gardening and birdwatching; good books and good conversation; and in faith, family, and food.

She also sought ways to serve others. She volunteered with the Attic Angels to visit home-bound older adults. And she opened her home to the families of long-term UW Hospital patients.

At almost every church Bonnie joined, she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. At Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Madison, she planned, prepared and served weekly after-school dinners for children. She also taught them about proper table manners and how to set the table, fold napkins, bake pies and make Stone Soup. With a team of good friends, she helped provide the meals for the monthly gatherings of senior church members and for many funeral luncheons.

She knew that full plates make full hearts - for the guests and the cooks. In 1991, she and her husband, Clarence, sketched a plan for a free community Thanksgiving Day dinner at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Madison. Together, they organized fellow church members to prepare and serve the traditional meal.

In 1994, Bonnie introduced the idea to her friends at Good Shepherd. Every year since then, dozens of devoted members of both congregations have served hundreds of holiday meals to their neighbors.

Bonnie shared her enthusiasm for discovery and service with her family. She encouraged us to explore wonders with her and on our own. Whether it was a compelling art exhibit, a stirring musical, a far-off adventure, a walk through a garden, a walk in the woods, planting perennials, swapping good books, sharing bird sightings, sharing what we’ve been up to, laughing over a good meal, making noodles from a three generations old recipe, or singing “Silent Night” side by side by candlelight on Christmas Eve, she treasured them all.

Her devotion to service inspired us to find our own paths of service. Whether professionally in the Department of Justice and the Department of Youth Services or voluntarily at church, with Agrace HospiceCare, as a CASA advocate, bellringing for the Salvation Army, helping with Special Olympics, protecting a watershed, preserving historic places, or building Habitat homes, these dedicated efforts brought her joy and still bring us comfort.

A lesson we learned from her and share with you is: You never know who will be touched by the ripples of your kindness.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents; by her husband, Clarence Noel Edwards (in 1993); and by her first husband, Clifford H. Zenor Sr. (in 2010).

She is survived by her son, Cliff (Mary) Zenor, Mishawaka, Ind.; daughters, Ramona Krogman (Kevin Mills) Plymouth, Mass., Karen Zenor (Mark Johnson) Portage, Wis., and Ann Zenor, Madison, Wis.; granddaughters, Ashley Johnson, Montello, Wis., and Abby (Matt) Maleport, De Pere, Wis.; grandsons, Bradley Johnson, West Hartford, Conn., Kevin Johnson, Hoffman Estates, Ill., and David Johnson, Eden Prairie, Minn.; and great-granddaughter, Jovy Maleport.

A private family memorial service will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Madison, Wis., at a later date.

Bonnie’s family wishes to thank Agrace HospiceCare and Noel Manor for their kind and devoted care. And they ask that instead of flowers, please consider a donation to Agrace HospiceCare (agrace.org/donate) or Plant A Tree in Bonnie’s memory.

Share your condolences and memories online at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Bonnie L. Edwards

October 18, 1935 - April 03, 2024

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