Bonnie Smith
Bonnie Smith
Bonnie Smith
December 27, 1934 – March 6, 2022
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 87
Bonnie Lou Smith, 87, of Oskaloosa and formerly of Idaho, passed away Sunday, March 6, 2022, at Northern Mahaska Specialty Care in Oskaloosa. She was born on December 27, 1934, in Mahaska County, Iowa, the daughter of Wilbur Ora and Ruth Joy (Moore) Barnard.
Bonnie graduated from the Cedar High School with the Class of 1952.
On June 8, 1952, Bonnie was united in marriage to John Warren Smith in Cedar, Iowa. To this union two children were born, Colleen and Kyle. Bonnie and Warren shared 55 years of marriage together until Warren passed away in April 2008.
Bonnie and Warren moved to California and lived there for several years before moving back to Oskaloosa in 1991. Bonnie worked for KFC for several years and had a large part in establishing the KFC in Oskaloosa. She started as general manager and worked her way up to supervisor for Iowa and surrounding states.
Bonnie was an excellent cook and enjoyed serving meals to her family. Her real joy in life was spending time with her grandchildren.
“We had to say goodbye to our mother and grandmother this week. We will forever remember and cherish how much fun we used to have spending weekends at her house, how much she loved to cook for the family, and how she made us feel special. We love her and will miss her dearly.”
Bonnie is survived by her children, Colleen (& John) Merrill of Oskaloosa and Kyle (& Patti) Smith of Cottage Grove, Wisconsin; four grandchildren: Emiliana, Jennifer, Jenell, and Mikaela; her great-grandchildren: Valena and Avalen; a sister, Pat DeWitt of Oskaloosa; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Bonnie is preceded in death by her husband Warren; her parents, Wilbur and Ruth Barnard; a sister, Ruth Lane; and five brothers: Jack Barnard, Glen “Joe” Barnard, Bill Barnard, Jay Barnard and Rex Barnard.
As was Bonnie’s wish, her body will be cremated, and no services are planned at this time. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Bonnie Smith please visit the Bates Funeral Chapel Sympathy Store.
