Eleanor Irene (Desch) Bonn, 89, of Albany, Ore., passed peacefully of age-related causes Oct. 16, 2015, in Corvallis, Ore.
She was born on June 4, 1926, in Shaw, the oldest of five daughters of Frances and Charles Desch. When she was 13, she moved to Portland with her family.
Several years later, Ellie’s family home in Portland suffered damage in a fire, and when the crew came to make repairs, she spotted a dimpled young man up on the roof, working with his family’s business. She declared then and there she would marry that man one day—and she did. Ellie and Daniel Bonn wed July 29, 1944.
In the summer of 1951 the couple welcomed their first child. Over the years of their marriage, Ellie and Dan would have a total of twelve children, the majority of whom were adopted.
After her husband’s passing in 1984, she
lived in Albany with her daughter Lori. Ellie enjoyed camping with her family, playing cards, reading and watching football. She was a faithful Catholic and longtime member of St. Mary’s Church.
She was preceded in death by two sons,
David in 1957, Danny in 1966, and her husband in 1984.
She is survived by her children: Ken Bonn, of Corvallis, Ore.; Becky (and Bill) Pierce, of Portland; Tim (and Sandy) Bonn, of Banks, Ore.; David Bonn, of Corvallis; Terese Bonn, of Bremerton, Wash.; Lori Goebel (and Delbert) of Albany; Pam Pierce, of Albany; Darrell Shafer, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; John Shafer, of Corvallis; and Lisa (and Lucas) Messmer of Wrangell, Alaska; as well as 20 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.
There was a Funeral Mass at St. Mary’s Church in Oregon on October 21. She was laid to rest at Willamette Memorial Park in Oregon.
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