Bonnie J. Schenkel, age 84 years, of Great Bend, Kansas passed away at her home in Great Bend on Friday, August 5, 2022. Bonnie was born on March 22, 1938 at Liberal, Kansas to Hugh and Gladys (Hibler) Harding, and had been a resident of Great Bend since 1969. She was united in marriage to John J. “Jack” Schenkel on June 29, 1961 at Clayton, New Mexico. Jack passed away on November 5, 2003. Bonnie worked as a breakfast cook for Herb Wong’s Chinese Restaurant and also worked at the former Trail Café in Great Bend. She also worked in the housekeeping department at the original Holiday Inn in Great Bend. Bonnie loved knitting, crocheting and embroidering, cooking and baking, and word search puzzles, and most of all, playing Scrabble. Throughout her life, Bonnie fed and helped raise several of her nieces and nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She lived and loved to take care of her family.
Survivors include two sons: Gary Bruner and Steven Schenkel, both of Great Bend, Kansas; two daughters: Brenda Walton (& Dirk Becker) and Phyllis Schenkel, both of Great Bend, Kansas; 7 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren; one sister Rose Hopewell of Halstead, Kansas; and her fur babies Polly, Daphne, Pappy, and Molly. Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; an infant daughter Teresa Marie; one brother Robert Harding; and four sisters: Louise Schupman, Phyllis Bromwell, Joy Elmore, and Carole Lightle.
According to her wishes, cremation has been chosen and there will be a Celebration of Life Service held at 3:00 PM on Saturday, August 13, 2022 at Charter Funerals in Great Bend, Kansas with Chaplain Jeff Owen officiating. Memorials may be directed to Kindred Hospice or the Clara Barton Hospital Foundation with Charter Funerals of Great Bend, Kansas in charge. Online condolences may be left for the family and a full obituary notice may be viewed at http://www.chartergreatbend.com