Bonnie Whitney

Bonnie K. Whitney (Lorenz) of Eau Claire, WI, passed away Saturday, May 31 at Caretta Senior Living after surviving breast cancer (2019) and being diagnosed with MDS (blood cancer) fourteen years earlier. She was born on October 14,1941 in Ludington, WI to the late George and Lois Whitney.

Bonnie met Larry Lorenz at Epiphany Lutheran Church in the mid 1950's as a teenager. After dating for some time and many smooching sessions on the front porch, they later married on October 28, 1961. They had two children, Cindy and Jennifer and later divorced in 1989. In the early 1990's, Bonnie began dating again. She went on a couple of dates with Glen Waterhouse, but didn't then make a love connection. After many years later, Bonnie and Glen reconnected in 2008 when they had a chance meeting in the grocery store parking lot where they chatted for over a half hour and made plans for a second "first date" and the rest is history. They have been blessed to have a wonderful, loving relationship for the past seventeen years.

Bonnie graduated from Eau Claire Memorial High School in 1960. Two months before her graduation, she began working as a secretary in the office at Coca Cola Bottling Company in Eau Claire due to her exemplary typing and shorthand skills. She worked over 30 years at Coca Cola and had an amazing collection of Coke stuff before retiring. To stay busy, Bonnie cleaned houses and worked at Donut Land for a time but then began her second career where she worked fourteen more years at Computerland before retiring permanently.

Bonnie is survived by her daughter Jenn Lorenz (Marvin Jefferson) of Savage, MN, two sisters, Emily Henning and Mayfred Whitney, two step-grandchildren, Mariah and Dewayne Jefferson of NC, her long-time companion, Glen Waterhouse and his sister, Dawn.

Everyone knew Bonnie as the Puzzle Queen. She still received the daily newspaper (not the digital version) to do her puzzles! There were many laughs and glasses of wine over the puzzle tables at St. John's Apartments where she lived for fourteen years. She also cherished her Wednesday Mahjong games, her weekly coffee dates and the Saturday morning group breakfasts at Altoona Family Restaurant. Bonnie loved to travel, and her favorite destination was the French Riviera which she thought was the most beautiful place on Earth. Every Summer, Bonnie made a point to take her girls on summer trips around the US - most fondly remembered was the drive "out West" to the Black Hills, the Grand Tetons and Wyoming. Thankfully Bonnie and Cindy were able to share the driving and the three loaded down Cindy's little blue Chevette for a 2-week road trip! But she also had adventures in Hawaii along with several trips to Alaska, where she once landed a 165-pound Halibut! Bonnie was also a NASCAR fan, enjoying annual trips to the Irish Hills in MI as well as being an avid music lover. Over the years, she attended many concerts and music festivals with her sisters and friends. Besides Elvis, her all-time favorite singer was Conway Twitty and even once ventured to Graceland and Twitty City. But her family knew her favorite pastime was organizing and scrapbooking the annual Whitney Family Reunion (even with matching tshirts).

She is proceeded in death by her parents, George and Lois Whitney, sisters Pauline Webber, Lila Stenseth, Wanda VonAsten, Goldene Poss, and Jeanette Ives as well as her beloved daughter Cindy Bowman.

"Aunt Bonnie" as she is affectionately known by most, always gave warm smiles and fierce hugs, but most importantly, always had to hold the babies! She will be greatly missed. But she is now pain and cancer free, spreading her delicate, colorful butterfly wings as her spirit reunites with Cindy.

A memorial service will take place at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at Stokes, Prock & Mundt Funeral Chapel, 535 S. Hillcrest Parkway with Pastor Tim Stein officiating. Visitation will be held at the funeral home that morning from 10:00 am until time of service. There will be a luncheon following the service.

In lieu of memorials, the family asks for donations to be made toward any cancer research or the charity of your choice as Bonnie supported many causes.

Cremation Society of Wisconsin, Altoona is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.cremationsociety-wi.com.