Obit: Adams, Bonnie A. (1930 – 2021)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Adams, Batchelder, Boyles, Baehr, Holtz

----Source: Chippewa Valley Cremation (Altoona, Eau Claire Co., WI) 11/22/2021

Adams, Bonnie A. (27 December 1930 – 18 November 2021)

Bonnie Adams of Medford was called home to be with her Savior on November 18, 2021, at the age of 90.

Bonnie (Batchelder) Adams was born on December 27, 1930, in Illiopolis, IL where she spent the early years of her life. On September 5, 1948, Bonnie married the love of her life, Gene Adams. During their first six years of marriage, they welcomed 4 baby boys to the family while running a supermarket which they owned in Sullivan, IL. In 1954, they sold their market, moved, and purchased a 120-acre farm located in the Holway township in WI. While living on the farm, Bonnie and Gene welcomed 3 daughters to their growing family and continued to expand their dairy farm over the next 34 years. Bonnie’s biggest pastime and love was taking care of her family which included making fresh homemade bread, cinnamon rolls, pies and delicious home cooked meals. Her family and the neighborhood kids were always well fed. She also planted, weeded and harvested two large gardens and would preserve hundreds of quarts of beans, peas, peaches, pears, applesauce, pickles and relish. In her free time, she spent a fair amount of time sewing outfits for her girls and mending the boys’ pants. While raising her family, Bonnie was actively involved with the Owen Alliance church. She taught Sunday School classes to kids and adults for many years. She was also the treasurer for the church. Bonnie was an avid speaker and spoke at many Christian gatherings, spreading God’s word.

In 1989, Bonnie and Gene decided to retire from farming, and they moved to Pearce, AZ where Gene built Bonnie their new home. Bonnie was the book keeper for Gene’s flea market but in her free time she pursued her love of quilting. She pieced together and hand sewed over 300 quilts, making sure that each of her children and each grandchild received one. She continued to garden and tend her flowers and plants in Arizona. She definitely had a green thumb. Bonnie also loved to read. She read most, if not all of Louis L ’Amour’s western books along with countless other books.

In 2014, Gene and Bonnie moved back to WI to be closer to their family and resided in Stetsonville. Upon losing her husband, Bonnie moved into an assisted living facility in Medford. Bonnie attributed her successful marriage of 71 years and her long prosperous life to God, as she always kept Christ first in everything she did.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her husband Gene in 2019. Bonnie will be sadly missed but fondly remembered by 4 sons: Mike (Sue) of Rainsville, AL; Steve (Adele); Rodney (Nancie); Jake (Amy) all of Holway; 3 daughters: Jean (Brian) Boyles of Mosinee; Gayle (David) Baehr of Withee; Sarah (Brian) Holtz of Holway along with 22 grandkids, 54 great-grandkids and 6 great-great-grand kids.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 27, from 10:00-2:00 at the Centennial Community Center in Stetsonville. Time of remembrance will begin at 11:30. Lunch will be served starting at noon.

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