Eileen A. Bonlender

Eileen A. Bonlender, 77, of Kewaskum, passed away on Tuesday, May 15, 2012, at Hope Health and Rehabilitation Center in Lomira, surrounded by her family.

She was born on Nov. 29, 1934, in Theresa, the daughter of the late Joseph and Juliana (Zwirlein) Steger, and on Oct. 6, 1951, she was united in marriage to Harold Bonlender at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Theresa. Harold preceded Eileen in death on April 6, 2005.

She was employed by Regal Ware Inc. in Kewaskum for 38 years and was a member of the 25-Year Club. Eileen was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Kewaskum, Holy Trinity Christian Women, We Love To Dance Club, Young At Heart and Kewaskum Women's Club.

Eileen will fondly be remembered for her large garden and one who loved polka dancing. She enjoyed cooking, canning, quilting, counted cross-stitch and embroidering. She will be deeply missed by her family and by all who knew her.

Those Eileen leaves behind to cherish her memory include five children, Darlene (Allen) Werkmeister of Gilbert, Arizona, Loren L. (Gail) Bonlender of West Bend, Sharon (Dennis) Hundt of Hustisford, Steven (Mary Lou) Bonlender of Kewaskum and Mary (Joseph C.) Spaeth of Newburg; seven grandchildren, Brian (Joanna) Bonlender, Amy (Jo Rey) Stephens, Cheryl Bonlender, Rick (Ashley) Bonlender, Krystle (Adam) Helsell, Kendra (Franklin) Miller Jr. and Lynsey Spaeth; 10 great-grandchildren, Rowan, Harric and Zander Bonlender, Crew and Rook Stevens, Sierrah Bonlender, Mackenzie and Libbie Helsell, Elijah and Madyson Miller; a sister, Pearl Keller of Fond du Lac; two brothers-in-law, Leo Bonlender of Kewaskum and Joseph (Louise) Bonlender of Campbellsport; four sisters-in-law, Doris Bonlender of Kewaskum, Florence Plagemann of Horicon, Fern (Karl) Ryan of Eden and Judy Steger of Juneau; a special friend, Clarence Schmidt of West Bend, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to her husband and parents, Eileen was preceded in death by four brothers, Jerome (LaVerne), Elmer, Herman (Velma) and Stanley Steger; three sisters, Lorinda (Felix) Gindt, Irma (Elmer) Loest and Amelda (Ralph) Mielkie; five brothers-in-law, Robert Keller, Ervin (Betty), Robert and Andrew (Margaret) Bonlender and Donald Plagemann.

SERVICES: A Mass of Christian Burial for Eileen will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 19, 2012, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Kewaskum, following a prayer service at the Miller Funeral Home in Kewaskum at 9:30 a.m. Father Edwin Kornath will serve as celebrant and entombment will be at the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum in Fond du Lac.

VISITATION: Relatives and friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday at the Miller Funeral Home, where a prayer vigil will be held at 7 p.m., and on Saturday at the funeral home from 9 a.m. until the 9:30 a.m. prayer service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

Additional information and guest book may be found at millermartinfh.com.

The family extends their heartfelt appreciation to the staff at Hope Health and Rehabilitation Center, Dr. Charles Sammis, Dr. Jennifer Connelly and Dr. Marjorie Vukelich for the compassionate care provided to Eileen.