Bonnie Lee Lapka

Bonnie retired in April 1984 as a purchasing clerk after 22 years of service at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville, Illinois. Her husband, Joe, retired one year earlier from Scott Air Force Base. Bonnie's work at St. Elizabeth's began as a nurse's aide in maternity, a clerical position in admitting, followed by her final position in purchasing.

Post retirement plans included spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and meeting her pen pal from England after 40 years of corresponding.

Bonnie loved to sew and spent most of her days in front of her sewing machine making clothes, crafts and quilts. She also greatly enjoyed cooking a wonderful Sunday dinner for her family.

She was preceded in death by Joseph Lapka, Jr., her husband of 63 years, parents, Fred and Cleda Engelage (nee Bertram) and a brother Donald Engelage. She is survived by her three children, Galen (Patty) Lapka of Memphis, Tennessee, Sherrie Merz of Belleville, Illinois, and Tyann Layton of St. Peters, Missouri.

She was affectionally known as "Grandma" and "Bom Bom" to her grandchildren Jeremy (Carolyn) Lapka, Jason (Sheri) Lapka, Jared Lapka and Whitney Swan, as well as great grandchildren Braeden Lapka, Greyson Lapka, Peyton Swan and Paige Swan. She is also survived by a nephew Charles Beyer, niece Karin Beyer, cousin Mary M. Caminiti, great nieces and great nephews.

A private family service is pending at Lake View Memorial Gardens in Fairview Heights, Illinois. Memorials may be made to the Metro East Humane Society in Edwardsville, Illinois, or to the donor's choice.