Thelma Maxine Bonwell
Wenatchee, Washington
August 5, 2007

Thelma Maxine Bonwell, loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully in her home at age 82 on Sunday, August 5, 2007, surrounded by her loving family.  She was born on February 21, 1925, to Marion Kirk and Anna L. (Miller) Riley in Gove, KS.  She moved from Kansas with her family in 1939 to Chelan Falls, WA, where she met Lester L. Bonwell of Withrow, WA.  They were married August 30, 1942, and spent their early years in Chelan and Malott.  Their first of two sons, Ronald L. Bonwell, was born August 21, 1943.  They moved to Wenatchee in 1952 and established their family home.  On March 14, 1956, a second son, Daniel R. Bonwell, was born.

Thelma was employed in the fruit industry before spending several years operating a daycare center from her home where she had a passion for caring for the children.  She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 10 and the Eagles Aerie 204 Auxiliary.  Thelma will always be remembered for her generosity and caring for others.  She loved spending time during holidays, camping and laughing with her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lester; sister, Gwen Malone; brother, Melvin Riley; and special companion, Elwyn Whitehall.  Thelma is survived by two sons, Ron (Paula) Bonwell and Dan (Judy) Bonwell, all of East Wenatchee; grandchildren, Laura (Darin) Bender of Wenatchee, Darla (Troy) Racus of East Wenatchee, Rhonda (Chad) Yenny of Wenatchee, Jason (Heidi) Bonwell of East Wenatchee, Kirk (Ann) Bonwell of Entiat, Kayla (Zachariah) Fitzgerald of Tri-Cities; great-grandchildren, Ashlee, Adam, Austin, Alex, Emma, Jenna, Riley, Maxwell and Gavin; and a brother, Kyle Riley of Wenatchee.

A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 1400 S. Miller Street in Wenatchee, at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 10, 2007.  A reception will follow at the American Legion Post 10 in Wenatchee.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Children’s Hospital in Seattle, P.O. Box 50020, Seattle, WA 98145.