Bonnie Lee DeHaven was born February 21, 1960 in Garrison, ND to Edmund and Eleanor Mehlhoff. She was raised on the family farm east of Garrison and educated at Garrison public schools. At the age of 12 she met Tom DeHaven while riding her bicycle through town. He repaired her chain which had fallen off the bike and proved to be the “repairer” of many things through the years as they became high school sweethearts. They were married May 12, 1978 and remained together for 43 years. In 1982 Tom and Bonnie with their two sons Billy and Benji moved to Watford City, ND, where Jennifer would be born in 1987.
Bonnie served the community over the years, including McKenzie County Hospitals as a Nurse Aid and the McKenzie County School District as a food service cook (25 years). But if you were to ask her about her most important job over the years she would have told you it was “being a mom”. It brought her much joy and fulfillment raising a family and, in turn, watching them grow and raise families of their own.
Her hobbies included oil painting, music (keyboard), writing poetry, camping, fishing, riding motorcycles, and vacationing on cruise ships. Bonnie and Tom enjoyed taking mini vacations in the black hills riding motorcycle and camping in their camper. One of Bonnie’s favorite trips was her Royal Caribbean cruise around the Hawaiian Islands that included an adventurous jet ski ride, waterfall hikes and the “Road to Hana” tour.
Bonnie had a strong and vibrant faith. She served at church in several capacities such as a Sunday School Teacher, on prayer team, and in the Women’s Aglow Organization. She held various leadership positions in Aglow at the local and state level and traveled to national and international conferences. She ministered to family and friends through prayer and words of encouragement.
Bonnie’s greatest love was her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was baptized as an adult at the Watford City Assembly of God Church and attended regularly. Her bible and prayer list was always close at hand. She loved to dance and sing during times of worship. She turned to the Lord for her peace, joy and strength and continued to do so until the end.
In 2005 the first of 6 grandchildren would come along. They were near and dear to her heart. She looked forward to visits, lake time, birthdays and holidays. She lavished hugs and kisses on them whenever she could and was generous with gifts and cards, never forgetting a holiday or special event. The 7th grandchild will arrive in 2022.
She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011. She underwent treatment immediately and kept the spread of cancer at bay for many years. When the cancer spread she continued to fight hard and spend as much time as possible with loved ones. She will be greatly missed by friends and family.
She is survived by her husband Tom, mother, Eleanor, Garrison, ND, sons, Bill, Fargo, ND and Ben(Michelle), Moorhead, MN, daughter, Jennifer(Nick), Fargo, ND, and grandchildren, Abbie, Lillie, Jaxon, David, Makayla, and Rebecca. She is preceded in death by her father, Edmund.