Bonnie Johnson

Anchorage resident Bonnie June Johnson, 71, died May 8, 2007, at home.
A memorial service was held Saturday at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Nome. A social gathering and potluck was afterward at the Pioneer Hall.
Bonnie was born to Ruben and Evelyn Rainey on June 30, 1935, in Longview, Wash. She was raised on a farm on Mount Pleasant, where she lived with her parents and older sister, Gloria.
After graduating from Kelso High School in 1954, she studied accounting at Lower Columbia College.
In about 1957, Bonnie's pioneering spirit brought her to Alaska. She drove the Alaska Highway to Anchorage with a couple of girlfriends in a convertible sedan. She soon began working as a stewardess for Cordova Airlines. This marked the beginning of her lifelong passion for Alaska.
Bonnie married Cecil Johnson, an Alaska state trooper, in 1961. They lived in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau and Nome. Between 1962 and 1965, they had three sons, Douglas, Matthew and Norman. Bonnie and Cecil eventually divorced. Bonnie's only daughter, Julie, was born in 1969.
As a single mother, she found that life in rural Alaska came with many challenges. Bonnie spent the next 20 years raising her four children "and vacuuming," her family wrote.
In 1970, she began working for the Alaska Department of Revenue and later the Division of Motor Vehicles in Nome, where she continued working until she retired in 2000 after 30 years of public service. Many "Nomeites" remember her as the "drivers license lady." During her years at DMV, Bonnie also spent time working for the Alaska State Troopers, which she enjoyed greatly and where she made many lasting friendships.
Bonnie loved her family, friends and home in Nome. Weekend picnicking and camping trips were a time for family adventure. She enjoyed many hobbies, which included quilting, gardening and collecting beach glass with her grandchildren. She also loved spending time in the kitchen, cooking dishes that brought her family and friends together.
Outside home and work, Bonnie found time to remain active in the community, even with the challenges of being a single mom. Among her favorites were her associations with the Pioneers, Eastern Star and the museum.
Bonnie is survived by her sister, Gloria; sons, Douglas, Matthew and Norman; daughter, Julie; daughters-in-law, Robin, Colleen and Nelda Johnson; son-in-law, Rick Patrick; grandchildren, Monica, Kassie, Jenelle, Quinten, Amanda, Devynn, Dylan, Meagan and Kaitlyn; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.
In 2004, Bonnie was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Shortly thereafter, she moved to Anchorage to live with her daughter's family. She lived with them until she died peacefully while surrounded by her children and their friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bonnie's name to the Alzheimer's Disease Resource Agency of Alaska, 1750 Abbott Road, Anchorage 99507.
Arrangements were by Witzleben Family Funeral Homes and Crematory.