Laurette BONNER

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BONNER: Laurette Bonner. Born February 27, 1928 at home on the farm near Debden Saskatchewan, with the assistance of Grandma Leclerc, the midwife. Laurette was the eldest of 14 children born to Louis and Noella Jean. Laurette passed from her earthly bonds to heaven’s arms on Monday April 15, 2019 in her 92nd year. She leaves to mourn her passing and celebrate her life; her brothers and sisters many many nieces and nephews and her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Son Tom (Kathy) Bonner, granddaughters Allison, Amy (Logan), and Anna (Joel) and great-granddaughter Nora Jean. Daughter Mona Koroscil, granddaughter Jessica (Margaret) Koroscil, great-granddaughter Georgia, grandson Micheal (Kyla) Koroscil and great-granddaughters Adelaide, Aavril, and Aniston, grandson Levi Koroscil, grandson Anthony (Jazmin) Koroscil and great-granddaughter Aubrey. Son Kevin (Terry) Bonner, granddaughter Nicole (Shae) Bonner-Haverstock, great-grandchildren Hayley and Logan. Daughter Teresa (Kerry) Lowe, granddaughter Becky (Curtis) Smith and great-granddaughters Dylanne and Kirby, granddaughter Pam (Tyler) Bond and great-grandchildren Rudy, Hudson, Boden, granddaughter Lacy (Scott) Hodge and great-granddaughters Penny and Hannah, grandson Ian (Candace) Lowe and great-granddaughters Braelynn and Brenna. Daughter Jennifer (Scott) Andrew, grandsons Hayden and Tyson, granddaughter Samantha. Laurette is predeceased by her loving husband Ray, her infant daughter Michelle, her son-in-law Les Koroscil, her sisters Pierrette Jean and Anita Dumais and her parents Louis and Noella Jean. Laurette was born and raised in a large French Catholic family. She received her schooling in a one room country school named Wanakena. At the age of 18 years in 1946 with $25 from her Dad Laurette departed on the train for Ninette, Manitoba where she took a job Nursing at the Sanatorium. Laurette lived and worked at the “San” caring for Tuberculosis patients for 6 years. During this time she met the love of her life Ray Bonner and airman who was hospitalized with TB. On September 22, 1952 at St. Augustine’s Roman Catholic Church in Brandon, Manitoba the couple where wed and pledged their life together. Laurette and Ray where married 63 years and where blessed with 6 children, 25 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Laurette’s married life began in Winnipeg in a small house on Silver Avenue, which is near the base of the runway for Richardson International Airport. It was never clear if Laurette enjoyed the noise of planes overhead. Clearly Ray was comforted with this traffic. In 1954 Laurette and Ray, after much contemplation, established their growing family in Virden, setting up a new business venture in partnership with the Walker brothers. Living in a small community Laurette was allowed the privilege of becoming highly involved with her family, the church and the community. Laurette was first of all dedicated to her husband and family. Laurette and Ray raised their family in their community building a sense of love and respect. Laurette was active in curling and golfing clubs, and the Bridge League. Laurette and Ray enjoyed the Virden Cromer Clippers Square Dance Club for many years. Quilt Till You Wilt group was another passion. Laurette served several terms as president of the Catholic Women’s League at Sacred Heart Parish; was a life time member of Virden Ladies Curling Club. Even though Laurette has passed on she remains present in the homes of many friends and family in the person of her numerous quilts. Quilting was a relished activity, she was very fond of quilting and worked hard to make certain those people she cared about had a piece of her art. Sporting activities became part of Laurette’s devotion; she was an avid curler and golfer, she became a keen downhill skier when she thought she would be left behind by her husband and children as they pursued their winter activities. A cherished memory for Laurette was 23 consecutive years of ski holidays to the mountains. Laurette and Ray and family especially enjoyed camping; over the years they progressed from the canvas tent and four kids in a station wagon in the early years to a beautiful ultra - modern camper for two adventuresome travelers. A favourite brag of Laurette’s family is that she insisted on continuing to enjoy camping making an annual 3 week camping trip to Kenora, Ontario. Her most recent camping trip was August 2018 in her 91st year. She enjoyed her camper, her kayak, daily swims, and family and friends. At home in Virden during the summers she was always anxious for the local swimming pool to establish their aqua fit program and was an active participant. Another of Laurette’s claim to fame was her curling team’s award for and 8 Ender. This year during the Brier, she recounted this event in great detail and to her great delight retold the story. As a member of the Virden Community for 65 years, Laurette participated fully and with immense pride. Christmas seasons saw Laurette working for hours on her dolls, every year she sent dozens of redressed and refreshed dolls to the Christmas Cheer Board. She was a knitter as well. Her grandchildren all loved getting mitts as a gift; there was always a little money tucked inside each one, this added to the excitement for each one of the children. Laurette was the eldest of 14 children in the Jean family. Her family has always been enormously important in her life. With many brothers and sisters the opportunities for gatherings was ever present and the Jean family certainly did like to gather. Her photo album illustrates the progression of this family and Laurette and Ray’s involvement. She felt she was blessed to have such a wonderful large caring family. Laurette’s faith was strong and helped carry her in the closing days of her life. She truly felt she had lived life with purpose and abundance. She was proud and fulfilled. She has provided all of us with an example of a life well lived. She now is hand in hand reunited in love with her husband Ray. The Funeral Mass will be held from Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Virden, at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 26, 2019 with Fr. Leo Fernandes officiating. The Evening Prayer Vigil will be held on at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 25 in Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church. Interment will be in the Virden Cemetery. If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Virden Christmas Cheer – c/o P.O. Box 2260 Virden, MB R0M 2C0, the Virden District Health Auxiliary, P.O. Box 2526, Virden, MB R0M 2C0 or to the charity of your choice in memory of Laurette.E-mail messages of condolence or sign the on-line Book of Condolences at carscaddenfuneralchapel.com G. R. Carscadden Funeral Chapel, Virden, in careof arrangements.

As published in Brandon Sun on Apr 20, 2019