Bonnie was born in Lafayette Colorado at the Vulcan mine housing where her father was a coal miner. Her Parents were Tom and Iva Morton. Childhood was a happy time for Bonnie, being much younger than her siblings who treated her as a treasured baby sister. Bonnie graduated from Lafayette high school and went on to Parks business school. She had several jobs in Denver before she and James Parker were married on Aug. 14, 1948 in Lafayette. They had a long, happy marriage for 57 years until Jim’s death in 2005.
Bonnie and Jim had two children, Tom and Diane. Bonnie was a great mother and involved with their school through PTA, Boy Scouts, Blue Birds and generally being the mom who welcomed all the friends with open arms.
Bonnie and Jim bought a camping trailer and spent many weekends and holidays traveling and enjoying the country. Lots of card games and campfires were spent in the out of doors that this allowed. After retirement the world grew, and they were able to take trips to England and Mexico and spend several winters on the Texas gulf. At 85 years old she took the last of her trips going to England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland where she got to meet the cousins who had corresponded with her mother and to see all the places the Morton family had been. She had such fun visiting John and Rosaleen in their England home.
The Morton family built a cabin in Red Feather Lakes the year Bonnie was born. Thus started so many family members having cabins in the area. Bonnies dad built a cabin next to his brothers and it was filled with family, laughter, love, cards and of course, fishing. What a wonderful legacy Bonnie has left to the family.
Lafayette was home for Bonnie for 76 years. She loved her neighborhood and all the families there. In 1971 Bonnie and Jim were able to build their new home on the lot next to the old house they had lived in since 1951. They did all the work except framing and they loved the home they created. It was filled with love for all who came.
Bonnie was always active in school, church and community events. She was very involved with the Methodist church and was a Sunday School teacher, Bible school leader, Women’s group leader as well as an active member. She helped in the creation of the new Lafayette Public Library. She was so pleased that the mural on the front of the building contained pictures of her father, brother and cousin. She always had a project going from reading, embroidery, knitting, crocheting, painting or playing piano. She had a craft group with the Lafayette Senior Center called the Whatever club where they bring whatever they were working on and sit and visit. Bonnie treasured the friendships she made over the course of 93 years and each one was special to her.
When Jim’s eyesight began to decline, they decided to find a place that would require less maintenance. Loveland’s Good Samaritan Village had just such a place for them. They moved into an apartment where Bonnie became an active member of the community. Bonnie was always there to lend a hand to any of her friends and neighbors she had met there. Everyone knew Bonnie. She can be proud that she had made the place a better one for being a partner there.
As a grandma and later great-grandma, Bonnie always made time to engage and play with the kids, be they one or forty-one years old. Ivan and Libby would ride bikes or walk to grandma’s house multiple times a week to hang out, play piano, cook, or just snack on the hidden container of cookies in the pantry. Grandma took on the title GG (Great Grandma) as the next generation got to know the healthy, happy Bonnie that was always proud to show off her grandkids and great grandchildren. Her creativity was passed down, as were her beliefs of what was important in life and what could be let to go by the wayside. The love she had for her family will shape generations to come.
Bonnie’s goal was to die while people still liked her. I believe that she met her goal. She had a very short illness before she passed and has lived independently. She still preferred her own cooking to that of others and made the best bread there was. She will be missed by all who knew her and will live on in our hearts.
Proceed in death by her parents, Tom and Ivan Morton, her husband, James Parker, siblings, Myrtie McNally, Earl Morton, and Bob Morton.
She is survived by her children Tom Parker and wife Laurel and Diane Hansen and husband Rod Hansen. Grandchildren Ivan Hansen, Libby Hagen and husband Duane Hagen. Great Grandchildren Ellory Hansen, Parker Hansen and Gilbert Hagen. All are in Loveland Colorado. Many cousins, nieces and nephews will miss Bonnie.
Services for Bonnie are Wednesday, February 12 at 11:30 at the Lafayette Cemetery followed by a reception at the Lafayette VFW. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Loveland Loves to Read care of Friends of the Loveland Public Library Foundation, 300 N. Adam, Loveland Colorado 80537.
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