Bonnie-Jean Howeiler

1935 - 2025

Bonnie-Jean was born to Walter and Edith Murison in the San Francisco Bay area, where she lived and was raised in Burlingame. She was the older sister to Ann Murison Newton who passed in Dec 1995. Bonnie-Jean's Dad was employed by Sunkist. He was transferred to Seattle after Bonnie-Jean graduated from high school in 1953. Bonnie-Jean attended the University of WA and graduated with a degree in Sociology in 1957. She became a Case Worker for the Welfare Department (now DSHS) where she met her future husband LaVerne Howeiler who was finishing his master's degree in social work at the University of WA. They were married and lived in Seattle until Verne took a job as a Social Worker in an underserved area in Omak, WA. While in Omak they had all three of their children, Brad, Heidi and Jon. When the kids were 7, 5 and 4 Verne accepted a job and moved the family to Wenatchee.
Bonnie-Jean and Verne took in numerous people that needed a place to stay and gave them housing for free. Bonnie-Jean ran numerous Tennis Tournaments upon the family joining the Wenatchee Swim and Tennis Club.
Bonnie-Jean had several careers from Teacher's Aid to Managing the Swim and Tennis Club,. Managing the Nutri System location, Tenure Evaluations at the Wenatchee Valley College and Executive Director of the YWCA of Wenatchee. Volunteer activities included mentoring families for Habitat for Humanity, Mobile Meals, Salvation Army, Men's Hospitality House and Women's Resource Center. Bonnie-Jean's favorite things to do were outdoor activities including playing Tennis, swimming, skiing with the family at Mission Ridge, Cross Country skiing, cycling and hiking trips with friends and especially gardening. She went outside for walks nearly every day of her life even in her walker in the snow. She loved to read and continued the transition to audio books when she lost most of her eyesight. Bonnie-Jean was in numerous Wenatchee Music Theater's productions and sang for 30 years in Columbia Chorale. Bonnie-Jean and Verne were active members and raised their children in the Lutheran Church and sang in choirs for 50 years.
Bonnie-Jean and Verne were fortunate to have two grandchildren whom they adored. Bonnie-Jean and Verne drove to Seattle any chance they had to see their first grandchild Emma in Seattle (Jon and Christine) & 6 years later Will was born (Brad) and they enjoyed having both a granddaughter and grandson. Both kids spent a lot of time in Wenatchee at the "Wenatchee House" with the big yard, tree swing and sledding. Her grandchildren loved their grandma, and she always had their favorite food ready.
Bonnie-Jean was known for her warmth and friendliness; she wanted everyone to be included and always wanted this for others. Even with her near blindness due to advanced Macular Degeneration that occurred late in life, and after Verne died, she was able to live independently at a senior living community. She had broken many bones, and we were all amazed how she always seemed to bounce back from things. She will be remembered for spirit and resilience and never giving up when enduring many physical setbacks.
Her children will remember her always singing around the house. For having music always playing in every room. For her love of being outside and a sun lover. For her willingness to go along with most anything and her independent spirit, including signing up and taking the Link Bus on her own, while nearly blind, to remain self-sufficient. Later in life she had a small dog Sparky who she loved.
Bonnie's enduring faith and spirit were intact until the very end. She had a wonderful faithful community and many supportive friends. She touched many lives and will be deeply missed.
Bonnie is survived by her three children, Brad Howeiler of Gig Harbor, Heidi Howeiler of Kirkland, Jon (Christine) Howeiler of New Hampshire, and two grandchildren, Emma Howeiler of Seattle, and Will Howeiler of Gig Harbor.
A Memorial Service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church of Wenatchee at 2 p.m. on Saturday October 18, 2025, immediately followed by an Inurnment of Ashes and Reception at Faith Lutheran Church in East Wenatchee.