Yvonne M. “Bonnie” (Bye) Benedict passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 17th, 2015, at Fall Creek Valley Nursing Home surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, on May 6th, 1930, to Roy and Alvilda “Billie” Bye and was a lifelong resident of Eau Claire.
Bonnie graduated from Eau Claire High School in 1948 and began working for the Eau Claire School District. On December 17th, 1949, she married John Benedict. Because of school policy at the time, Bonnie left the school district and went to work at Uniroyal. When polices changed, Bonnie was asked to come back to work at the school district. She also worked with her husband in the family business for a period of time, but retired from the school district in the Attendance Office at South Junior High. Bonnie was “Mom” to many of the students and they could always count on a lunch money loan, if needed.
Bonnie enjoyed being a part of many organizations; she was a Girl Scout Brownie leader and a Cub Scout leader for her children, she was a member of the Service League, Eastern Star and the Shrine Auxiliary. Her extensive network of friends brought many years of card playing, shopping and fun times with the “talk club”.
Many wonderful summers were spent with her family and friends at their summer cottage on Lake Wissota, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. She loved feeding her family, friends and neighbors and treasured the holiday gatherings. If there was a special occasion, no one ever left her home without something from her gift room.
Bonnie and John were early members of the Family Motor Coach Association. Traveling by “bus”, Bonnie had her home with her. She enthusiastically embraced road trips with family and friends throughout the United States and Canada. Retirement brought many years of wintering Briny Breezes, Florida where her gregarious nature, love of water and cheerful bright colors were a perfect fit.
Bonnie is survived by her husband, John, daughter Julie (Lee) Wilcox of Black Mountain, NC, son, Tim (Amy) Benedict of Eau Claire, WI, grandsons, Tony (Andrea) Benedict and Luke (Courtney) Benedict of Eau Claire, WI, great-granddaughter Emelia Benedict, step granddaughters, Catherine (Tom) Wilcox-Nash of Madison, WI, Elizabeth Wilcox of Madison, WI, and Sarah (Roy) Borrelli of New Zealand, step great-grandchildren, Kaya Wilcox, Schuyler Nash, Max and India Borrelli, sisters-in-law, Mary Bye, Marian Benedict and Eva Benedict, as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant (stillborn) daughter, Susan, her brother Donald Bye and her sister and brother-in-law, Delores and Ronald Hillestad, and brothers in law, Edward Benedict and Robert Benedict.
Funeral Services will held on Thursday, March 19th, 2015 at 5 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, 1005 Oxford Avenue, Eau Claire, WI. Pastor Amy Odgren will be officiating. Visitation will take place from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. prior to services at First Lutheran Church.
The family would like to thank the staff at Fall Creek Valley Nursing Home for the wonderful care and compassion given to Bonnie.
Memorials may be given to the Shriner’s Hospital, 2025 E. River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55414.
R.I.P. Bonnie !!!
Thank you for your friendship and help.
“A Labor of Love is never in vain.”