Bonnie Jean Gunning

Bonnie Jean Gunning, 94, of Holdrege, Nebraska, passed away on January 23, 2013 at Holdrege Memorial Homes in Holdrege.

Bonnie was born March 2, 1918 in Trenton, Nebraska, the second of two children born to John Prescott and Vera (Leopold) Allen. When Bonnie was 10 years old, the family moved to Fort Collins, Colorado. Bonnie's older brother, Eugene was attending military school in Colorado and the family decided to move near him, keeping the siblings intact. Bonnie's younger brother by 22 months was John. Later, she moved with her siblings and mother to Denver, where graduated from East High School with the class of 1935. Bonnie then continued her education at the University of Colorado Boulder.

In 1936, she eloped with Harold Harry Gunning to Cheyenne, Wyoming and to this union three children were born: Allen in 1938, Karen in 1947 and Sandra in 1959. During the early years of their marriage they lived several places; work was hard to come by during the 1930's and they ventured off to Brownsville, Texas, where Harold worked building airplanes during World War II. In 1951, the family moved to Holdrege to begin a car business. Bonnie maintained the bookkeeping while Harold sold cars. At the beginning of this move an unfortunate accident occurred during a house warming/Christmas party hosted by Bonnie and Harold resulting in the death of her eldest brother, Eugene. This tragically affected the rest of her life and those around her.

For much of her early life with the children, she served as wife and homemaker. In 1970, Bonnie was employed as a Machine Inspector at Becton-Dickinson until her retirement more than 20 years later.

Bonnie was a member of the Methodist church serving as a Sunday school teacher when her children were young. In April 2007, she moved to Holdrege Memorial Homes, where she enjoyed visits from the Chaplain.

Bonnie loved the game of golf, whether it was watching or playing. She also indulged in knitting, listening to classical music and watching television.

Besides her parents and husband, Harold, she was preceded in death by her two brothers: Eugene Allen and John Allen; and her grandson, Todd Trenchard in 2011.

Survivors include her three children: Allen Gunning of Austin, Texas, Karen Trenchard of Denver, Colorado, Sandra Lane of Broomfield, Colorado; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

There will be no visitation as the family is honoring her wish for cremation.

Private family services for Bonnie will be conducted at a later date in Colorado.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.