Bonnie Byrne
Bonnie Byrne, 74, of Eau Claire, formerly of Mondovi, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Jan. 27, 2017, at Mayo Clinic Health System, Eau Claire.
Bonnie was born on March 20, 1942, in Sparta, Wis., to Harold and Lucille Yahnke. She graduated from Black River Falls High School and moved to La Crosse, where she earned a degree and worked in cosmetology.
It was in La Crosse that she met her husband of 51 years, Robert. They later moved to Wisconsin Rapids and finally settled in Mondovi in 1970, where they opened and operated Bob’s IGA for nearly 30 years. She was well known for her date-filled sugar cookies, fresh baked bread, and lemon meringue pie. After retiring from the grocery business, she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, traveling, gardening, and cheering for her Packers. She loved country music, especially Bill Anderson and Johnny Cash. Never one to sit still for long or sleep in late, she returned to baking in the Eau Claire area until 2005.
She is survived by her husband Robert and their three children, Brian (Ericka) Byrne of Los Angeles, Calif., Barb (Randy) Applegate of Columbus, Ohio, Debra (Dana) Brunstrom of Elk Mound; grandchildren, Patrick and Benjamin Applegate and Emma and Corey Brunstrom; sister, Beverly Smith of Northlake Ill.; sister-in-law, Patricia Merwin of Jacksonville, Fla.; many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends, which she was immensely proud of and cherished dearly.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Loretta Peters, Loraine Stokes, Anna Joten.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, Mondovi, with Fr. Don Meuret officiating. Burial was in Sacred Heart Cemetery, in Mondovi.
The family would like to send a special thank you to the caring staff at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Eau Claire, who went far and above the call of duty.
Kjentvet-Smith Funeral Home in Mondovi assisted the family. To express online condolences visit obituaries at www.kjentvet-smithfuneralhome.
