Bonnie Jean Basham

Bonnie Jean Basham age 93 of Woonsocket passed away Saturday, May 11, 2019 peacefully in Woonsocket.

Funeral service will be Wednesday, May 15th at 1:00 pm at the Spirit of Faith Church, Woonsocket. Burial in Eventide cemetery, Rev. Jim Lindekugel and Rev. Rhonda Wellsandt-Zell will officiate. Visitations will be at Basham Funeral Home, Woonsocket on Tuesday, May 14th from 4-6 pm and one hour prior to service at the church. Closed casket per her request. Arrangements by Basham Funeral Service, Woonsocket, SD.

Bonnie Jean Basham (93) passed away, Saturday, May 11,  2019 in Woonsocket, South Dakota. She was born in Spencer, South Dakota July 26, 1925 the youngest of seven children to Marie and George  H. Lindekugel. Her older siblings were Neva, Hazel, Willis, Olive, George, Jr. and Marnell. As a young girl growing up in Spencer she enjoyed caring for her horse, Dolly. A family dog was also her constant companion and she continued to enjoy the love of a “puppy” the rest of her life. 

Bonnie graduated from Spencer High School in 1942 followed  by training at University of Minnesota to become a medical technician. During this time she began dating a Lt. Sylfest L Olson, from Colton, SD, who had trained to be a pilot in the Army Air Dorthey were married in Omaha, NB, shortly before his deployment to Europe, to fly a bomber during WWll.  During their 25 years of marriage as a family in the US Air Force their four children, Nan, Kim, Scott and Marc were raised. She always made a beautiful home whether overseas in Japan or Panama or at locations in the states.

Bonnie relocated back to Mitchell, SD in 1969 to be near her parents and other family with her two young sons; Nan was married and Kim was in college. She began a new life as Mrs. George Millen, who owned the Mitchell Abstract Company. They became “snowbirds” having a home in Mesa, Az during the winter months for several years prior to George’s death.

Over the years Bonnie became an accomplished golfer. It was on a golf course that she began a friendship and then fell in love with Walter Basham, of Woonsocket, SD and the owner of Basham Funeral Services. They were married in 1978 at the Lutheran church in Spencer.  Their love of golf, set them on the “snowbird” path to life in Mesa, Az during the winter months. They also had a home in Rapid City for 10 years, but always maintained a home in Woonsocket. Walter and Bonnie were married for 25 before he passed away in 2003.

Bonnie had a flare for entertaining and cooking. She was a fierce competitor whether playing card games or golfing. Don’t get caught cheating around her. She loved good clothes, purses and shoes.

But family was always her biggest joy. The passing of her daughter Kim Collis in 2017 to cancer was her greatest sorrow. Bonnie will be remembered by her children Nan (Steve) Larson; Scott (Tina) Olson; Marc (Katy) Olson; and son-in-law Tony Collis; her six grandchildren James Coffin (Tana Dubbe); Hillary Collis (Gregg Snedden); Taryn Collis; David (Julie ) Olson; Danielle Olson; and Emily (Matt) Henriksen; and five great grandchildren Adelynn Snedden; Claire, Luke and, John Olson; and Berklee Henriksen.

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