The Life of BONITA ELOIS SEVERSON
Bonita Elois Severson, 67, was welcomed into the kingdom of God on March 12, 2013, when she passed away from complications of Stage 4 Breast Cancer, surrounded by her loving family and friends.
Bonnie was born February 9, 1946, in Des Moines. She graduated from North High School, attended Waldorf College and Iowa State University, and received her B.S. and Master’s degrees from Drake University. She worked for the Iowa Department of Human Services for nearly 30 years until retiring in 2008. Bonnie had a great zest for life, as she was actively involved in Daughters of Norway and the Des Moines Women’s Club, still volunteering for committees from her hospital bed. She loved scrapbooking, sewing, dancing, shopping, and traveling. Bonnie also doted on her two grandchildren, whom she loved dearly. With everyone she met, she would always greet them with her beautiful smile, and bless them with her sense of humor and kindness. Throughout her long, courageous battle with cancer, she maintained her deep faith, positive spirit, and lived life to the fullest.
Bonnie is survived by her husband, Roger; two daughters, Lara Severson of San Diego, Calif., and Jen (Travis) Swendseid of St. Louis Park, Minn.; two grandchildren, Emmett and Greta Swendseid; her sister Shirley (Ron) Sealine of Johnston, Iowa; her mother-in-law, Virginia Meinecke of Forest City, Iowa; two sisters-in-law, Karen Hopson of St. Louis Park, Minn., and Susan (Jim) Totty of Harrisburg, Va.; and extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Selmer and Alma Olson; her fathers-in-law, John Severson and Alvin Meinecke; and her brother-in-law, Tal Hopson.
Funeral services will be Saturday, March 16, at 10:30 a.m., at Windsor Heights Lutheran Church, 1240 66th Street, followed by burial at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:30 to 8 p.m., Friday, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, and also one hour prior to the service Saturday at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Above and Beyond Cancer at aboveandbeyondcancer.org or Windsor Heights Lutheran Church.
