Bonnie Smith

Bonnie Bergstrom Smith died peacefully on September 26, 2026. Bonnie was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to many. She lived with faith, vigor, and a boundless love for her family and friends. Her spirit was a bright light, and she brought joy and humor to every occasion.

Bonnie was born to Arthur and Hannah Karling Bergstrom, the fourth of five children. She grew up alongside her brother, Arthur Karling ("A.K."), and her sisters Amaryllis, Virginia, and Carolyn. Known to all as "The Bergstrom Girls," the sisters moved through life as a devoted fleet, caring for one another, their extended family, and their communities, and building the close, thriving family that surrounds them today.

Bonnie’s Swedish roots run deep in Central Texas. Her great grandparents settled in the Swedish community of Decker Creek located between Austin and Manor in the late 1800s. She was raised in the Decker Methodist Church. Her first cousin, once removed, John A. "Earl" Bergstrom, was the first Austinite killed in action in World War II and a Purple Heart recipient; Bergstrom Air Force Base, later Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, was named in his honor.

The Bergstroms owned and operated a dairy farm in Manor, and Bonnie spent many childhood days doing chores and "hopping" milk with her dad or brother to neighbors and customers. She attended Manor Elementary through seventh grade, then University Junior High in Austin, and graduated from Austin High School before attending The University of Texas.

After college, Bonnie went to work for Braniff Airways in Dallas. It was a great job in many ways, but its best gift was a chance meeting at Love Field. Waiting for a flight home to Austin, she struck up a conversation with Tom Smith, and the two realized they had been classmates back in eighth grade. Tom was finishing law school at UT, and after a brief courtship, they married in 1961. They shared 65 loving years together.

Bonnie's talents were endless. She was an accomplished cook, best known for her Swedish desserts. She also painted, sculpted, sewed, embroidered, needlepointed, played the piano, and sang in the church choir. She played tennis, coached her daughter's junior high softball team, and was a fierce competitor at the regular family croquet matches, as well as at bridge, dominoes, and any card game on the table. She loved the holidays, but, above all, Thanksgiving was her favorite time when the Bergstrom and Karling families gathered to celebrate their Swedish heritage, and she was surrounded by her sisters, brother, cousins, and extended family. Bonnie and Tom traveled widely through Great Britain, Europe, and Scandinavia, but their favorite trips were aboard Windstar ships sailing the Mediterranean and Caribbean.

Bonnie gave generously to her community. She served faithfully in her church, volunteered with Meals on Wheels for 15 years, and gave her time assisting the director of Make-A-Wish.

She had a saying for every occasion: "Friends double the joy and divide the grief." "Never regret growing old; it's a privilege denied to many." "Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can." And her favorite: "Why ruin a good story with the truth?"

Bonnie was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas T. Smith; her brother, A.K.; and her sister Amaryllis. She is survived by her sisters Virginia Thompson and Carolyn Boyd; her daughters, Regina Sue Smith of Austin and Lisa Smith Warren and her husband, George Franklin Warren III, of Dallas; her grandchildren, Bonnie Bauer Stecher and her husband, Austin, of Waco; Georgia Bauer Berthelot and her husband, Trey, of Houston; Amanda Grace Warren of Atlanta; and George Franklin Warren IV of Dallas; and her great-grandchildren, Ila Grace Stecher, Ada Beth Stecher, IJ Berthelot IV, and Walker Ann Berthelot.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Shepherd of the Hills Christian Church 6909 W. Courtyard Dr., Austin TX 78730 or to the Meals on Wheels charitable organization at mowctx.org.

Her bright and generous spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Reception honoring Bonnie will be held Friday, November 6, 2026, at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Homes 5416 Parkcrest Dr., Austin, Texas 78731

Reception will begin at 12:00 pm. Words of prayer and remembrances to be shared at 12:30 with lunch to follow.

All family and friends are welcome.