Bonnie Jean NELSON

1932 - 2023

Bonnie Jean Nelson, of Arlington, WA peacefully went home to be with the Lord on April 8, 2023, at the age of 90, with her daughter Kimberly by her side. Bonnie was born October 5, 1932, to Millard Ray and Mary B. Hendrickson in Seattle, WA, where she spent her childhood and graduated from Highland High School. During her teens, Bonnie loved to roller skate and spent many hours at the Redondo Beach Skating Rink where she met William H. (Bill) Churchill. They performed as a couple on skates and then married in 1950. The family moved to Spokane in 1964 for Bill's new job. They had three daughters Kimberly A. (Bob, deceased) Simpson, of Arlington, WA, Lori J., deceased, (Craig) Finley, of Spokane Valley, WA and Marcella A. (Ryan) Rader, of West Richland, WA.

In the 70s Bonnie worked as a baker for the School District until retirement in 1981. She loved the outdoors and spent a great deal of time camping and hiking in Washington State, especially Mount Rainier where they had purchased the property and built a cabin. They spent years enjoying the snow and water skiing, bowling, traveling, and performing in PTA plays before parting ways after 24 years of marriage.

Bonnie met Edward S. Colby through their shared love of music and dancing and married in 1976. Together they performed for Project Joy, where Bonnie would sing while Ed played the piano. They took a six-week trip touring the United States as far south as the Florida Keys and as far north as Maine. They moved to Lake Sacheen for a while, became snowbirds in Hemet, CA, and later moved to the Spokane Valley to be closer to family. Ed passed away in 2004.

In 2005 Bonnie reconnected with an old friend, Chester L. Nelson, who recently lost his wife. Chet's love of music and the fact that he could cook would be attractive to most women, but for Bonnie, it was laughter that sent her tumbling into love. For the next ten years, they enjoyed life, traveling all over the world including Doha, Qatar, Hawaii, and parts of Europe. They participated in church activities, choir, and Project Joy. They often spent time with their many family members, until Chet's passing in 2016.

Throughout her life, Bonnie had many hobbies: painting, ceramics, baking, walking, reading, and solving word puzzles. She volunteered for Meals on Wheels and as a deacon at Hamblen Park Presbyterian Church. In later years, she moved to Omak, and then Arlington, WA, to be closer to family. She loved walking the Centennial Trail, visiting family, and outings.

Even after the onset of dementia, she took pleasure in the company of others and inreturn brought joy to those around her.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at 11:30 AM at the Arlington Gospel Hall, 323 S. Stillaguamish Ave., Arlington, WA, 98223.