Bonita "Bonni" Josephine Spence

Bonni was born on March 22, 1947 to Victor Verl and Mary Louise McDaniel in Dodge City, KS. She attended and graduated from St. Mary’s of the Plains Catholic High School in 1964. After graduation, Bonnie married Thomas “Tom” A. Spence in June of 1964 in Dodge City, KS. The newlyweds travelled to Germany where they resided for Tom’s enlistment in the United States Army. In Germany, they welcomed their first child, Todd Michal in December of 1964, which was followed 13 months later with the birth of their daughter, Victoria Dea in February 1966. Bonni had many stories to tell about living in post war Germany in the 1960’s as a young American girl. Bonni and the children returned to the United States in December of 1966 with Tom following shortly after. Upon the family’s return to the US, they returned to Dodge City, KS. This is the time in her life. Bonni became the supportive wife to Tom as he began to climb the career ladder. Over the next eleven year (1967-1978) the family would make several moves throughout Kansas and later, Oklahoma too. Though the family resided in Dodge City, they made homes in Newton, KS, Arkansas City, KS, and Ponca City, OK. It was during this time that their third child was born in Newton KS, Amy Christine in 1970.

In 1978, Tom’s job took the family to Chanute, KS and became the town that her children would call home. She also began a new stage in her life of the working mother. Bonni exceed in any industry that had the good judgment to hire her, from radars, music equipment, the first satellites proving TV services in rural areas to Electronic equipment. However, it was in 1988 that she found her life passion in Real Estate. Dedicated to her profession, Bonni became a top Real Estate Agent in Johnson County KS. The knowledge she possessed about real estate and her desire to provide the customer with excellent service, not only referrals, but as new friends. Bonni retired in 2010 and started a new chapter in her life, Grandma. Bonni lectured and began caring for her young grandchild and great grandchildren. She continued to do this up until 2018 when her physical health began to decline. Bonni was diagnose in February of 2019 with a staph infection due to a hip replacement in May 2017. After many weeks of treatment for the infection, Bonni was on her way to recovery, but unfortunately in early May of 2019 Bon was diagnoses with Non-Hodgkin’s and Burkett Lymphoma.

Bonita “Bonni” Josephine Spence, in her true fashion, fought like the warrior she was, but at the end of September 2019, the news was given to that her body could take no more. Both the cancer and chemotherapy would win the battle on November 1 2019. She chose to end restrain from treatment and was invited to receive hospice care in her sister and brother-in-laws home. Bonni received much love, care, and support from her children, grandchildren, her sister, and her nephews, her lifetime best friends, along with the caring staff of Visiting Angels who ensured Bonni received excellent and compassionate care. Jackie’s home, her sister’s, is were she resided until she passed on November 1 2019 at 7:19 pm.

Bonni was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Louse McDaniel Schmit; and her father, Victor Verl McDaniels.

Bonni is survived by her children; Todd Spence (Wendy) of Blackwell, OK, Dea Washburn (Gary) of Kansas City, KS, and Amy Vetter of Saint Joseph, MO; her brother and sisters, Timonty V. McDaniel of Dallas, TX, Jacquelyn Pratt (Don) of Kansas City, MO and Victoria Hill (Douglas) of Creve Coeur, MO. Bonni’s legacy will shine through her family as she leaves behind her beloved 14 grandchildren and 26 grandchildren.

Visitation and Funeral Service will be held on Saturday November 9 at Sunset Hills Christian Church, 6347 Leavenworth Road, Kansas City KS 66109. Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00 am with Funeral Services starting at 11:00 am. Interment will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Garden, 701 North 94th Street, Kansas City KS 66112. Flowers are appreciated but if you wish to make a donation, we ask that it would be towards a cancer organization in Bonni’s name. Thank you