Bonnie Ann Smith

Bonnie Ann Smith ObituaryBonnie Ann Smith
Bonnie left for Heaven on March 16, 2025. She was preceded in death by her parents Dayton and Shirlee Smith. She is survived by her brother Mark (Karen), nephew Peter (Jen) and niece Becky. Bonne passed away at 69, the same age that her father died 25 years earlier on March 12.
Born in St. Louis Park, she grew up in Deephaven, MN. She moved to Woodstock, VT with her mother in her teen years. She graduated from Fall Mountain Regional High School (Langdon, NH) in 1974. She then attended the University of New Hampshire where she earned a degree in "Food Service Management". Moving back to Minnesota she graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Stout where she earned a degree in "Hotel and Restaurant Management".
In September 1979 at the age of 24, she had an auto accident leaving her paralyzed as a quadriplegic. After 4 months of hospitalization and many months of rehabilitation at Courage Center, she became a Rolling Gopher wheelchair athlete, then later participating in the Paralympic swim team, slalom and wheelchair races. This was an incredible lifetime experience. She received no less than 17 gold, 5 silver and 18 bronze metals. She broke records, received letters from senators, awards; like the 1982 Handicap Athlete of the Year and there were many newspaper articles written about her. Some of the events were held in Seattle (1981), Nova Scotia (1982), Hawaii (1983), England (1984).
She attended Trinity Episcopal Church of Excelsior most of her life where she participated in "Wednesday Women", and other study groups. She also helped serve food for events at Trinity. She served with "Loaves and Fishes" and with other ministries that helped families in their time of need.
Bonnie was a licensed elementary teacher and enjoyed teaching summer school in the southwestern suburbs for many years. She also contributed to her community as an election judge for the Minnetonka School District for several years.
Bonnie will be deeply missed by her family and her many good friends who respected the way she lived independently all her adult life, living in her own apartment and driving herself. Bonnie always had a cat. Clara, Nels, Bessie and Elsa, were her cherished companions during her lifetime. She was an avid reader, enjoying her fellowship with her book club. Some of the things she enjoyed were advanced cooking, creating occasion cards with her signature of CardsByBee, traveling with her friends, being a Twins fan and visiting public gardens.
Her memorial service will be at Trinity Episcopal Church of Excelsior, Wednesday, May 14, at 11:00 am.
Bonnie Ann Smith
Bonnie left for Heaven on March 16, 2025. She was preceded in death by her parents Dayton and Shirlee Smith. She is survived by her brother Mark (Karen), nephew Peter (Jen) and niece Becky. Bonne passed away at 69, the same age that her father died 25 years earlier on March 12.
Born in St. Louis