Bonnie Gaarde Obituary
Bonnie was born on June 14, 1937, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin to Linda and Al Stoeckli. She graduated from Oshkosh High School and attended the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh.
After moving to Ames, Iowa in 1956, her cousin Larry Swanson set her up on a blind date with Arnie Gaarde, one of his ISU basketball teammates. Bonnie knew he was the love of her life; she and Arnie were married six months later October 27, 1956.
When Arnie completed his service in the Air Force in Texas and South Carolina, they returned to Iowa and finally settled in Ames to raise their three daughters. Once the girls were older, she went to work at Iowa State University in the Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate College offices for twenty years. Once they retired, Arnie and Bonnie spent the winters in Peoria, Arizona, until relocating there year-round.
Bonnie was a member of Chapter LN of PEO, Theta Chi Sorority, and B&B Book Club. She and Arnie were members of Bethesda Lutheran Church in Ames and American Lutheran in Sun City, when they settled in Arizona.
She stayed very active throughout her life; she loved to dance, practice yoga, bike, and take classes at the gym. Bonnie was the consummate hostess as she enjoyed cooking and entertaining. Being with her family and friends were the most treasured times of her life.
Bonnie is survived by daughters Stephanie (Dennis) Deering, Lubbock, Texas, Lisa (Jerry) Hartsock, Phoenix, Arizona, and Michele (Robert) Sample, Monument, Colorado. She will be deeply missed by her granddaughters Kasey Hartsock, Ryan (Bailey) Everts, Elle Sample, Kellsey Sample and Ashlee Sample. Her love and impact transcend the boundaries of life and death.
Please join family and friends for Bonnie's Celebration of Life. It will be held on March 7, 11am at American Lutheran Church, Sun City, Arizona.
In lieu of flowers, please donate in her memory to recognize the compassionate medical and spiritual care team at Hospice of the Valley in Phoenix www.hov.org
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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