Bonnie Maline

Bonnie J. Maline, 92, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died May 7, 2019 in Lincoln, NE.

Bonnie Jean was born May 5, 1927 to Ernest and Cora (Kilmer) Purcell at Arnold, NE arriving with her twin sister Betty Ieleen.  They were the babies of the family, joining their three older brothers and a half-sister.  They grew up on the farm southwest of Arnold. In 1945, Bonnie and Betty graduated from Arnold High School.  Being twins, they did everything together, even getting married on the same day, February 13, 1949.  They had a beautiful double wedding as Bonnie married Wayne Maline and Betty married Leland Larreau.  It was hard on their dad to walk them down the aisle, one on each arm, and give them away.

Bonnie and Wayne made their home north of Gothenburg and were blessed with three children: Sandy, Kay, and Tim.  Bonnie's life was spent being a busy farm wife and mother. She was a great cook.  If fact, it seemed like she was cooking all the time! That’s something she was known for by her kids and grandkids.  She grew and canned a lot of produce, raised and froze chickens, and was always busily working, all day long.

One of her great loves was working for her church, the Gothenburg Seventh-day Adventist Church, where she was a member. Over the years, she held nearly every office and helped with many church activities, including the church's "Dorcas Society", where used clothing was given away.

In 1997, Bonnie and Wayne left the farm and moved into Gothenburg.  They had only lived there for four months before Wayne had a stroke.  The next eight months were spent lovingly caring for him until he passed away in Oct 1997.  He was just 69 years old.  Bonnie now had lots of time to fill as she lived another 21 years. While living on 17th Street, she enjoyed her many nice neighbors. When it came time for her to downsize, she moved into Hillcrest Retirement Apartments, where she lived for the next nine years.  She loved it there, made many friends, and enjoyed all the activities.

She remained healthy and active past the age of 90, continuing to drive around town and bake pies and other goodies for potluck dinners. Then, because of a back fracture, she moved into Hilltop nursing home and remained there for a year and a half. She made many friends there of both residents and staff.  Bonnie suffered a recent fall that took her to Lincoln, where she passed away.  She was loved by many and will be missed.

Bonnie is survived by her children: Sandy Bosch, her children Stacie (John) Harrington and Kelly Bosch;  Kay (Rob) Johnson, their children, Jessie (Bryan) Dodds and Holly (Nate) Buss; Tim (Tricia) Maline and their children, Peyton (Korey) Ahlenstorf, Hailey (Hayden) Gibson and Courtney Maline; nine great-grandchildren: Joshua, Matthew, Michael and Brandon Harrington; Macy and Gavin Dodds; Keaton, Brinley and Tycen Buss; and her sister-in-law Carmen Purcell.

She was preceded in death by her parents Ernest and Cora, her husband Wayne, and son-in-law Tom; sisters Betty, Zolmia, and baby Hazel; brothers Wilber, Edward (Barbara), and Duane (Eileen); and brothers-in-law Leland Larreau and John Horn; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Byron and Opal Maline, Aksel and Gwen Jensen, John and RoseMarie Swanson, Stanley and Bernice Maline.

Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Saturday, May 11, 2019, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm.

Funeral services will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Monday, May 13, 2019 at 10:00 am with Pastor Joseph Carty officiating.

Interment will follow in the Gothenburg Cemetery, Gothenburg, Nebraska.

Memorials may be given to Amazing Facts Christian Ministry, Po Box 1058, Roseville, CA 95678.