Loyd William Bonneville

MADISON, Wis. - Loyd Bonneville was 94 years in age at the time of his passing on June 23, 2024, in Madison, Wis. He is survived by two daughters, Lynne (Carl) Strasburg of McFarland, Wis. and Jennifer (Don) Hale of Jefferson, Wis.; three grandchildren, Ryan (Melissa) Schwenn of Middleton, Wis., Autumn Schmidt (Becca) of Chicago, Ill., and Noelle Schmidt of Madison, Wis.; one great-granddaughter, Madelyn Schwenn; one sister, Joanne Reitinger of Gunnison, Colo.; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins who were very special to both Loyd and Marilyn.

Loyd was our beloved, caring and dedicated father, grandfather and great-grandfather who lived an extraordinary life of Christian faith, passion and leadership. He was an inspiration of the highest distinction to his family, friends, Air Force comrades and all who knew him. He was highly accomplished in many areas of his life.

Having a northern Wisconsin beginning, he was born in Chippewa Falls, Wis., and grew up in Billings Park Superior, Wis.

He met his lovely wife, Marilyn, at Lawrence College in Appleton, Wis., and they married in her hometown of Chicago in 1955.

He started Law School at the University of Wisconsin Madison, joined the U.S. Air Force, then returned to law school for his law degree, earned in 1960. He also graduated from Northwestern University Prosecutor's School.

After they resided in Skokie, Ill., the Air Force whisked his family around the country to Texas, Alaska, New York and northern Wisconsin.

In the Air Force after completing Aviation Cadets Training, he did active duty as a Flying Radar Observer in F-89s, and Assistant Staff Judge Advocate and Mobilization Augmentee, JAGAR. He excelled in the Air Force to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and was a treasured and sought after member of the Air Force community. Commended for his high dedication, extreme motivation and being an outstanding attorney, the Air Force Staff Judge Advocate was quoted as saying "He is an outstanding attorney whose skills the Air Force cannot afford to lose. He must be retained in the 9005th ARS." As an Air Force Officer and Judge Advocate, he was highly revered for his dedication, skills and recruitment abilities. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award, and Armed Forces Reserve Medal.

His career as an Attorney led him to Two Rivers, Wis., Waukesha, Wis., Milwaukee, Wis., and Madison, Wis. His Attorney roles varied in General Practice of Law, including Assistant District Attorney prosecution work, to criminal defense work. He was also commissioned as a Hearing Examiner in the Hill Farms DOT building and in Milwaukee. His wealth of knowledge led him to authorship of several legal articles. Retirement piloted him to pursue a degree in Genetics and Patent Law, revealing his remarkable talent portraying patent drawings.

He was admired for his superior musical talent as a singer and pianist, and he was widely known as a local opera singer, church choir director/composer and church and Bel Canto chorus singer.

He also was a Mentor to young at-risk adolescents.

He was a gifted writer and orator, and regaled us with many heartwarming life stories from his youth.

Some of his favorite hobbies included engaging in online stock trades, traveling, chess games with family, and hosting dinner parties.

Later in life the devoted couple moved to retire in Riverside, Calif., to enjoy the good life of sunny days and warm weather.

After years of selfless caretaking for his wife, a joyful rescued return to his home state in 2023 brought his family back together again.

He and Marilyn cherished their three grandchildren and none of them will forget how he taught them to count with pennies, some he made out of tin foil if there weren't enough to count with! We all have great memories of the games we played on their dining room table, especially Tripoley, and his analytical insistence to put our chips in a certain pattern so we could tell who forgot to put theirs in!

Because of his lifelong love of animals of every kind (especially cats!) and with influence from daughter, Lynne, he enjoyed decades of being a Vegetarian.

Favorite memories from daughter, Lynne, include Dad recounting her cooking in the kitchen, up to her elbows in onions making vegetarian lasagna for a meat and potatoes family and his unbelievable surprise at how good vegetarian food can taste, triggering a lifestyle change that clearly gave him a strong pathway to a long life.

Favorite memories from daughter, Jenny, include delightful camping trips with the Bonneville cousins at Point Beach State Park, with Dad as our fearless leader. Saturday morning family breakfasts at Dairyland were always a joyful event as well.

One of his greatest legacies we learned from him is the importance of expressing gratitude and thanks to all we encounter. He continued to demonstrate this until his last day. In this and in countless other ways, he himself was the greatest of role models.

On June 23, 2024, Loyd was taken home by our Heavenly Father and reunited with his beloved wife, Marilyn, and their families. He was cherished and loved by family and friends and will be dearly missed by all.

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2

A memorial gathering for all family and friends will be held at LEWIS PARK, 5012 Highland Drive, McFarland, Wis. from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024. Please direct condolences/questions to luvyoudad94@gmail.com.

Following please find the 2018 obituary for Loyd's wife Marilyn, finally the two are united once again.

RIVERSIDE, Calif. / MADISON - Marilyn Bonneville (nee Carlson) was 85 years in age at the time of her passing on Jan. 27, 2018, at home in California. She is survived by Loyd Bonneville, her loving and devoted husband in 62 years of marriage; by two daughters, Lynne (Carl) Strasburg of McFarland, Wis. and Jennifer (Don) Hale of Corinth, Miss.; three grandchildren, Ryan (Melissa) Schwenn of Madison, Wis., Autumn Schmidt of Chicago, Ill., and Noelle Schmidt of Madison, Wis.; and one great-granddaughter, Madelyn Schwenn.

Marilyn was a beloved, caring and dedicated mother, called “one of the sweetest people I knew-gentle and kind,” by her friends. She had a great laugh and sense of humor. While she could be serious, instructive and even contemplative when occasion called for it, she often entertained others in a jovial witty and casual manner-a gift of hers which never failed to kindle our spirits.

Marilyn was born in Chicago, Ill. She and Loyd lived in various locations during Loyd’s military career, taking them to Alaska and New York, settling in Madison, Wis. For many years, Marilyn was a registered nurse, rendering care in several places during most of her married life. Her favorite pastimes included celebrating with family at gatherings and taking an occasional trip to California to visit her mother, father and brother. She had fond memories of childhood vacations at Lake Geneva, Wis. and later travels with Loyd to military bases.

She was an accomplished pianist, regularly accompanying hymn singing at nursing home events, and musically encouraging her children. The occasional mother/daughter piano duet was a favorite at festive gatherings. The extremely competitive double, triple and quadruple Solitaire games she usually won were quite something to experience! She also sang as a church choir member, avidly enjoyed her bridge club friends and spending time with her grandchildren. She was cherished and loved by family and friends, and will be dearly missed by all.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420