Bonita 'Bonnie' Ann Gill

The funeral service for Bonita 'Bonnie' Anne Gill, 96, of Leola, SD, will be 2:00pm, Saturday, January 21, 2023, at Leola Methodist Church, Leola, with Jerry and Jim Swanson officiating. Burial will be at Green Mound Cemetery, Leola. Bonnie died Friday, January 13, at Prairie Heights HealthCare, Aberdeen.
Bonnie was born March 18, 1926 to Sidney John Swanson, Jr and Irene Hall Swanson in Moorhead, MN. She lived most of her younger years in Moorhead and area, smaller communities. Her father was a lifelong baker. For various reasons the family moved periodically to follow business opportunities.
Bonnie grew up surrounded by family....Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and Grandparents and of course her growing number of siblings. The entire family was very close and gathered frequently. Bonnie was the delegated babysitter many times of many of her cousins and of course cared for her siblings as well. She may have received a nickel from Aunts and Uncle for her efforts. A nickel at that time was a treasure. In 1941 the family moved to Lamoure, ND and then on to Leola, SD in 1942. Bonnie was a sophomore at the time they moved to Leola. She graduated in 1944.
She, like all of her siblings, worked at the bakery in Leola, while in school and after graduation. Perhaps that is where her love for cooking and baking began. After graduation she was a teacher for one of the rural schools in McPherson County.
Bonnie met Loren (Bud) Gill and saw him to be the apple of her eye. They were married on May 31, 1947. She and Bud started their family in 1948 with their first born, Gregory John. Over the next 11 years they welcomed 6 more children.
Bonnie was involved in various organizations such as Homemakers, Disco, OES. She was also a Cub Scout Leader. Most of her time was spent caring for her family.
She enjoyed being part of the original Rhubarb Day Festival committee. The Festival continues to be held every other year and is enjoyed by local residents as well as people from out of town,.. She was also involved in planning High School Reunions.
Bonnie had several employers over the years including the local grocery store (Bob and Marian Schumacher). She also wrote the local news column for the McPherson County Herald. She worked as a cook for the school lunch program. Bonnie reprinted the Leola Rhubarb Cookbook. She sold books across the country from coast to coat.
Bonnie had the wisdom of the world. She was well read and up to date on current events. She love reading and enjoyed the monthly magazines she received each month, making sure that the magazines were shared with others when she was through with them. A good novel kept her interest as well.
Her family has always been her biggest joy. Family members enjoyed their visits with her...there was goodies of some sort that she would have prepared, just in case someone dropped in. The little ones loved to stop in because they knew there would be cinnamon toast prepared for them....Gramma Bonnie toast is what some have called this treat. We have all wondered just how many loaves of bread, pounds of sugar and containers of cinnamon she had used up over the years....many, many!!
Each afternoon, it was typical that a friend or neighbor would stop in for a cup of coffee and a bite to eat...something that was prepared with afternoon coffee in mind. She enjoyed her friends. I am sure they solved the world's problems more than once during their chats. Bonnie spent most of her adult life in Leola. She seemed to never meet a stranger. She showed kindness and hospitality to everyone who walked into her kitchen. Her good heart and wonderful sense of humor will truly be missed.
Bonnie is survived by her children and their families and siblings and their families.
In lieu of flowers the family is requesting memorials sent to Leola Food Bank, 11341 357th Ave. Leola, SD 57456
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