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- The Grand Island Independent (NE)
November 24, 2018
AURORA — LaVonne "Bonnie" Ernst Ediger, 96, of Aurora passed away on Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018, at Memorial Community Care.
LaVonne "Bonnie" May Hunnicutt Ernst Ediger, the daughter of Otto and Bessie (Detamore) Hunnicutt, was born on the family farm west of Giltner on May 15, 1922, and passed away in Aurora on Nov. 22, 2018, at the age of 96.
She was the second of eight children. Her entire life was spent on the family farm until she married. She attended Mount Hope Country School during her elementary years and graduated from Giltner High School in 1939, the day after her 17th birthday. She continued her education by taking post-graduate work at Giltner High School to study for a teaching degree and then attended Kearney State Teachers College. She taught six years in the country schools.
On June 16, 1946, she married Keith Ernst and followed him while completing his Navy career. Bonnie was employed in Washington, D.C., by a banking firm while Keith was doing a tour there. Returning to Aurora to make their home, she taught two more years in country schools.
She was a stay-at-home mom for 15 years to raise her family, including Bonita Jean (Ernst) Forsman, Gale Keith Ernst and Dr. Tari Mae Ernst (Ioerger), returning to the work force at Penneys/Parkers, then the County Extension Service for nearly 33 years.
Keith passed away in February 1976 at the age of 57. She then married Elvin Ediger and gained three children: Rick Ediger, Teresa Johnson and Robert Ediger.
Bonnie was active in her children's organizations, helping with Scouting, Rainbow Girls, Y-Teens, FHA, Band Mothers, sports activities and wherever needed. She was a 4-H leader for 23 years, Sunday school teacher for 25 years and held many offices in the church, as well as being chairman of the Church Day Circle. She was a longtime member of the Merry Janes Extension Club, and a 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star, where she served as Worthy Matron for three years. She helped with the Bloodmobile and was a member of the Red Hats.
Bonnie enjoyed life and always found time to crochet, preserve their garden produce, quilt and drink coffee with her friends. She loved being with her family at Christmas gatherings and with her siblings and families where nearly 100 were in attendance.
Survivors are Bonita Forsman, Gale Ernst, Dr. Tari Ernst (Steve Ioerger); stepchildren, Rick (Patti) Ediger, Teresa (Joy) Johnson and Rob (Carrie) Ediger; seven grandchildren, Eric (Sara) Forsman, Brett (Stacie) Forsman, Kate Ernst, Callie (Matthew) Harriman, Michael (Ryan Martin) Ioerger, Patrick and Christopher Ioerger; nine stepgrandchildren; four great-grandchildren; as well as multiple stepgreat-grandchildren.
She is also survived by siblings, Betty (Bobby) Ranard and Marleen (Marvin) Caspersen; sister-in-law, Lucille Hunnicutt; brother-in-law, Harvey (Jo) Bish; and nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, Keith and Elvin; her parents, Otto and Bessie; three brothers, Loren, Gerald and Keith Hunnicutt; two sisters, Verla Bachman and Virginia Bish; and a stepgrandchild, Andrew Ediger.
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1922 - 2018 (96 years)
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