Bonita Elizabeth (Presnell) Andersen, daughter of Ralph and Iona Presnell, was born in Deshler, NE on December 20, 1941, 13 days after the December 7th attack on Pearl Harbor. She departed this life Friday January 26, 2024 at Stone Hearth Estates in Gothenburg, NE at the age of 82.
Bonita (Bonnie) Andersen grew up in Deshler. She graduated from Deshler High School in 1960. Bonnie attended Deshler Presbyterian Church where she was baptized and confirmed. She was a member of the Girl Scouts and often reminisced about Camp Jefferson near Fairbury, NE. She also recalled many fond memories of days running around town playing "ditch em" with her friends.
Bonita met a young man from Ruskin, NE named Merlyn Andersen and they were married in the Deshler Presbyterian Church in 1961. This union was blessed with three children: daughters Cosette (Cozy) and Corrinne (Rinny) and a son, Kris.
Early in their life together Merlyn and Bonnie moved to Omaha for jobs. After a short time they moved to North Bend. Next they made their home in Liberty, MO for over 20 years. Bonnie was a homemaker and always created a beautiful home wherever her family lived. They eventually moved back to NE to be near kids and grandkids and followed some of them to Manhattan, KS for a short time before moving back home to Deshler.
Merlyn passed away in 2012, five months after the couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
Bonnie moved to the Black Hills with son Kris after the loss of Merlyn. She enjoyed that time in the hills taking little adventures with Kris. Bonnie moved back to NE and the Kearney area and enjoyed living close to her grandchildren who were also in the Kearney and Lincoln area. The last 3 years Bonnie has been living at Stone Hearth Estates in Gothenburg near her oldest daughter, Cozy and her husband Gary.
Bonnie enjoyed reading and collecting books. She was an amazing quilter and crafter and a wonderful cook. Bonnie loved being near her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were her best friends. Her most favorite thing was playing with her great-grandchildren. There were always lots of shenanigans and lots of giggles and smiles when they came to visit.
Bonnie is preceded in death by her parents and husband.
Bonnie is survived by her son Kris Andersen of Kearney NE, daughters Cosette Greer and husband Gary of Gothenburg NE, Corrinne Andersen and partner Scott Singleton of Lincoln, NE, one sister Sandra Eggers and husband Roger of Ruskin, NE, brother-in-law Russell Andersen and wife Judy of Hollister, MO, sister-in-law Erlene Davis of Overland Park, KS, three grandchildren Haley Gadeken and husband Steven of Pleasanton, NE, Caley Mingus and husband Paul of Ravenna NE, Andy Greer and wife Janae of Lincoln, NE, six great-grandchildren Asher, Grayden, Jayla, Macksley, Addison and Marcus.
Funeral services will be Thursday, February 1, 2024 10:30 AM, at Peace Lutheran Church in Deshler, NE with visitation taking place one hour prior to the service.
Memorials may be given to the family for later designation.