Bonita "Bonnie" Stephens

Bonita “Bonnie” Belle Stephens, passed away on June 24th, 2026 at age 83 in Martinsburg, West Virginia at Hospice of the Panhandle, surrounded by loved ones who will continue to honor her legacy of love and kindness.

Bonnie grew up in Buxton, North Dakota with her parents Orlean (father) and Theoline (Rystad) (mother), sisters Betty, Diane, Judy, and brothers Darrel, Duane, Jerry, and Sonny.

Bonnie attended Aakers Business College in Grand Forks, ND. Her first jobs included the Grand Forks Clinic and Lyons Auto Supply as a bookkeeper (one of her favorite jobs). In addition to being a loving wife and mother, Bonnie continued to work in bookkeeping over the years. She also enjoyed volunteering at school and church. There was never a time when Bonnie remained idle.

Bonnie enjoyed time with family, sewing, quilting, crocheting, travel, puzzles, and reading, which rubbed-off on her son Corey. Most of all, she loved her husband, Jim. She and Jim never had a date prior to getting married. They met on a bus in South Dakota, while she was on her way to share an apartment with her sisters Betty and Diane in Denver, and he was on his way to be deployed to Guam during the Vietnam War. They exchanged addresses and wrote to each other while he was deployed. When he returned, they married in Grand Forks, ND. They had been married for 55 wonderful years prior to his passing in 2024. They were truly best friends. Over the years, they resided in South Dakota, Missouri, South Carolina, North Dakota, and West Virginia.

Bonnie is survived by her sons Corey Stephens (wife Stacy), stepson James Edward Stephens 2nd (Ed) (wife Priss), and stepdaughter Glenna Stephens-Briner (husband Sean Gleason). Her grandchildren are Heather Stephens, Benjamin Briner, Kathryn Thurow (husband Geoffrey) and Allison Kraft (husband Kurt). She is also survived by her siblings, Betty Krause of Parker, CO; Diane (John) Reinhard of Kansas City, KS; Judy (Steve) Finstrom of Savage, MN; and Sonny (Rita) Knutsvig of Buxton, ND. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and her brothers Darrel, Duane, and Jerry.

Visitation will be on June 30th, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Rosedale Chapel (917 Cemetery Rd, Martinsburg, WV). The Funeral service will be on July 1st at 11:00 a.m. at St. Lukes United Methodist Church (700 New York Ave, Martinsburg, WV), followed by internment at the cemetery and a luncheon at 1:00 p.m. back at St. Lukes.

The funeral service can be streamed from St. Luke’s at: https://www.youtube.com/live/U9BPrJKix_k