Bonnie Jane Lynch

Bonnie was born June 7, 1936 in El Centro, CA. Bonnie was a retired Salvation Army officer, earning the rank of Major along with her husband, Bill.

Bonnie moved to Alaska where she later married Bill Lynch in 1961. As is customary with Salvation Army officers, Bonnie and Bill were moved to Anchorage in 1963 where they lived for 12 years moving to Seattle in 1975. Bonnie fell in love with Alaska and her people - a love affair that continued the rest of her life.

Bonnie loved to fish and play in The Salvation Army band. If she wasn't in the band, she was playing her tambourine or drum and singing out strong in her lovely voice. If you ever sat near Bonnie at a concert or worship service you knew that her praise to God delighted His ears. She reared her children to be musical and fostered a love of brass music within her family. Bonnie's signature smile and laugh could always be heard the moment you walked into a Salvation Army church. Her sense of humor and kindness was felt just being around her.

Bonnie had a ministry to the people of Southeast Alaska and was adopted as an 'Eagle' into the Tglingit tribe. When Bonnie retired as a full-time Salvation Army officer she didn't slow down. She was in charge of a prison ministry for The Salvation Army for a number of years. She ministered to men and women throughout the Northwest, spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ and sharing with them hope and love.

Bonnie eventually retired full-time to Ketchikan, Alaska. Phone calls and emails with her children were always peppered with statements such as, "I fed the bears (or eagles) again today - they were hungry".

Bonnie was our beautiful mother and a warrior for God. Her legacy is that of a family who serves God by serving others through music, missions and fabulous meals always spiced with humor.

Preceded in death by her husband William in 1996, she is survived by daughter, Katrina Bartlett; sons, Bill Lynch & his wife Pam, Greg Lynch & his wife Erin; and Doug Lynch and her 6 grandchildren, Emily, Nate, Chris, Nick, Eric, and Jack; sister, Jean Anderson, brother, Jan Hoogstad and sister, Katrina Grundahl..