Bonnie Blackley

Bonnie's heart stopped beating on August 8th 2015. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Virgina, step-father Jerome Sticha and son-law John Kloster. She is survived by her husband Earle, her Son Daniel daughter in-law Jean, Daughter Deneen, Grandchildern Eric, Anna. Jack, Bobbie, Tasia, and Colter and many other loving family members. The people present at the time of her death were her husband Earle, her son Daniel, her daughter Deneen , along with her grandchildren Anna and Jack. Bonnie's memorial will be on the 22nd of August at the Afton Memorial Lutheran church in Afton, MN. The visitation will be at 11:00 AM with the service following at 12:00 Noon.

Bonnie will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Bonnie was born in Everett, WA on the 11th of July in 1938. Her parents were Charles Chester and Olive Teresa Thomas. She and her mother moved back to her grandparents in MN when she was 1.5 years old. She grew up in Dundas MN and Mankato MN where she met her husband. They were married in 1957 and enjoyed 58 years of mostly wedded bliss.

Bonnie loved to decorate and often dreamed of becoming an interior decorator. She also loved flower arranging. Anyone who has visited her Afton home would recognize her preferred style of decorating. Bonnie's family home ranged from Mankato , MN to St. Paul, MN to Salt Lake City, Utah to London, England to Afton MN. Afton has been home since 1974. She became active in Afton city politics where she served on various committees for 16 years.

While living in London she traveled all over the South part of England doing brass rubbings on brass images of important people from 15th and 16th century. She possesses about 95 immaculate rubbings. She was currently moving to Breezy Point , MN where she was busy displaying her decorating ability. She along with most of her mother's side of the family were interested and quite accomplished in painting and other forms of art, some of which will be displayed during the visitation.

In later years Bonnie developed severe back pain that limited her mobility but not her desire to pursue her interests. She is now free from pain and is decorating her spot in heaven with the Lord. The following favorite hymn will be sung during the service.

The hymn is "Going Home", set to the music of Dvorak's 9th Symphony, third movement.

Going home, going home,
I'm just going home.
Quiet-like, slip away-
I'll be going home.
It's not far, just close by;
Jesus is the Door;
Work all done, laid aside,
Fear and grief no more.
Friends are there, waiting now.
He is waiting, too.
See His smile! See His hand!
He will lead me through.

Morning Star lights the way;
Restless dream all done;
Shadows gone, break of day,
Life has just begun.
Every tear wiped away,
Pain and sickness gone;
Wide awake there with Him!
Peace goes on and on!
Going home, going home,
I'll be going home.
See the Light! See the Sun!
I'm just going home