Bernice "Bonnie" Lucille Farkas

LEXINGTON — Bernice "Bonnie" Lucille Farkas, 72 years old, died at 1 p.m. Monday (June 29, 2015) at her home in Lexington, after a valiant fight with ovarian cancer. She was surrounded by family and her steadfast canine companions, Boomer, Bandit and Bella.

Bonnie was born Sept. 22, 1942, in Stevens Point, Wis., to John and Anita Matthewson Strike. She was the middle child of three. Her older sister, Barbara; younger brother, Clarence; and her parents preceded her in death.

She met her sweetheart, Mervin Farkas, in 1961. They were married Nov. 17, 1962, and remained devoted and committed companions for nearly 53 years. He survives. They moved several times within Wisconsin, until finally relocating to Central Illinois (but they never relinquished their "cheesehead" designation) where they met many lifelong friends.

After the couple’s retirement in 2006, they bought a recreational vehicle and extended their close circle of friends while spending winters at Breeze Lake Campground in Brownsville, Texas.

This was Bonnie's second battle with cancer. The first was with breast cancer in 1995-1996. Her strong will to live, unwavering faith in God, and the love and prayers of family, friends and many supporters, carried her through more than two years of grueling treatments. She was truly a woman who never gave up. She was a triumphant, shining example of how to survive life's ups and downs. She understood the value of family, friends and the gift of time.

She generously shared her unconditional love, not only with her children, Joseph (Betsey) Farkas and Rebecca (Scott) Hartema; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; great-great-grandchild; many nieces and nephews, including Diane, Doreen and Cynthia; but also with the countless children whose lives she touched through foster care and babysitting.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at East Lawn Funeral Home, 1102 Airport Road, Bloomington.

The funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Epiphany Catholic Church, 1006 E. College Ave., Normal, presided over by the Rev. Carl LoPresti. The family requests that in honor of Bonnie, attendees wear her favorite color, blue.

A reception will follow the Mass at the home of Becky and Scott Hartema, 13699 Lucca Forest Drive, Bloomington.

Pallbearers include her son Joseph Farkas, and grandsons, Ronnie Hartema, Tyler Hartema (daughter Bella), Josh Alvis (wife, Mercedes, and son, Cael), Trey Hartema and Cory Hartema. Entombment will be at East Lawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery's Mausoleum following Mass.

Memorial donations can be made to the Community Cancer Center, 407 E. Vernon Ave. No. 1, Normal, IL 61761.

The family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers and support in many heartfelt forms from too many people to name individually. But a special thank-you goes to OSF Hospice, Community Cancer Center, Mid-Illinois Hematology & Oncology, and Dr. Vankkalanka for the loving care they provided to Bonnie throughout her illness.