Visitation prior to Service: Saturday, May 4, 2024, 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M., Charles E. and Florence M. Lakin Community Center, 61321 315th Street, Malvern, Iowa.
Celebration of Life: Saturday, May 4, 2024, 12:00 P.M., Charles E. and Florence M. Lakin Community Center, 61321 315th Street, Malvern, Iowa.
Bonnie Louine Mansfield, 91 of Malvern, Iowa passed away surrounded by her family at her granddaughter, Kristen Kendall’s lovely home on March 30, 2024. Bonnie was born on a farm north of Silver City, Iowa to Edward Carl and Mildred LaRue (Sell) Kruse on June 25, 1932. She rode a pony or walked to country school and then attended Silver City School graduating in 1949 being the salutatorian.
Bonnie attended Iowa State Teacher’s College to earn her certificate. Her teaching career took her to Shenandoah, Omaha and Malvern. She continued her education to earn a Master’s Degree at the University of Omaha and from U.N.I.
She was united in marriage to Roy Dean “Butch” Mansfield on February 16, 1957 in Silver City, Iowa. To his union two children were born, Barbara Jo in 1960 and Robert in 1964.
Bonnie was a substitute teacher while the children were young. After her children graduated, she started the Special Ed Program in the Malvern schools and was the head of the Resource Room. She later accepted a position with AEA 13 as a Educational Consultant. After devoting 19 years there, she retired dedicating 50 years in Education.
Following retirement, she continued volunteering at school and listening to students read. She also volunteered at church, helped with Faith Finders and other projects. She was on the Mentoring Board, Senior Center, Friends of the Library and U.M.W. She dearly loved her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids.
Preceding Bonnie in passing were her parents, husband, brother Robert and wife Eloise Kruse. Survivors include her children Barbara (Ralph) Farmer of Malvern, Iowa; Robert (Juli) Mansfield of Colorado Springs, Colorado; grandchildren, Kristen (Don) Kendall and their twin daughters, Averie and Rylie and son Marcus of Malvern, Iowa; Cori (Reggie) Kock, son Oakley, twins, Harper and Hudson of Bennington, Nebraska; Janelle Mansfield of Boston, Massachusetts; Keith Mansfield of Columbus, Mississippi; Scott Mansfield of Denver, Colorado; step-grandchildren Guthrie Stiens (Eddie) and Children Josie and Jaylie of Skidmore, Missouri; Dillon (Stephanie) Farmer and children Brody and Blakely of Norwalk, Iowa; other relatives and friends.
Interment to be held at a later date.
Memorial donations may be direct to: Malvern Methodist Church or Malvern Library.
3 Condolences
I was so sad when I saw where Bonnie passed away. She was one beautiful lady. Always enjoyed visiting with her..
Doug and I send our sympathy and love…
To Bonnie’s family – I was privileged to work with Bonnie at Faith Finders, an after-school group at Malvern United Methodist Church, for a number of years. She did crafts and crowd-control, which was quite necessary at some moments, and I could not have taught the upper class without her!! I had met her earlier when we both helped with Malvern UMC’s worship services at Faith Ridge Care Center (now defunct). She was a delight and a very special person. I will miss her and her Christmas poem. May God comfort your hearts and give you peace, as you know Where she is! Blessings and deepest sympathy, Rita Godfrey
She was one of the best teachers around. My son had her and she inspired him. A wonderful person is gone now but will never be forgotten.
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