Bonita M. "Bonnie" Guenther

Bonita M. “Bonnie” Guenther, 81, of Stoddard, WI., passed away peacefully at her home while surrounded by her family on Tuesday, February 7, 2023. She was born November 23, 1941.

Bonnie lived a full life of helping others any way she could. She had worked as a waitress and also at La Crosse Rubber Mills until she received her nursing license in 1985. As a nurse, Bonnie worked as an LPN at Mulder Healthcare Facility in West Salem, Bethany Riverside Nursing Facility in La Crosse and at St. Joseph Rehabilitation Center in La Crosse until her retirement in 2005. In 2007 Bonnie realized retirement wasn’t for her got a job at Kwik Trip in Stoddard. She loved working there and loved greeting everyone that came through those doors. Everyone that knew her, knew how much she loved being able to spread love and caring with hugs. She was very passionate about her jobs and helping people. Bonnie also believed in helping people with providing a shirt on their back or food to eat. She believed in helping her community by donating clothing, food and anything else needed. She was quick to ask where and how she could help make a difference and was willing to “Adopt” anyone she met.

Bonnie also had a love for animals and if she could, would have adopted all the animals in the Humane Society. Throughout the years, many dogs and cats were given a loving home until the very end. She knew all the dogs in her neighborhood by name.

She is survived by her husband Dale Guenther, sisters Bette Munns, Esther Williams, brothers Jim Wilson, Larry Wilson, Daughter Linda ) (Mark) Kabat, sons Leo (Sue) Withrow, Tim (Linda) Garavalia, Mark Garavalia, Grandchildren Melissa (Chris) Sampson, Britani Kabat, Brandon Withrow, Mariah (Augustin) Lopez, Jessica (Joe) Austin, Eric Stark, Dustin Garavalia and Tyler (Sara) Garavalia. She is further survived by her many nieces and nephews and eleven great grandchildren unless you count the fur babies.

She was preceded in death by her mother Alice Knutson, brothers Paul Collins, Donald Collins, Rod Collins, Donald Wilson and Neil Colllins, sister Delores Taylor, son Heath Guenther and granddaughter Sylvia Withrow.

A special thank you to Kwik Trip for all the love, support and caring through out the years, to her neighbors Mark Stellner, Roofus, Rusty, BoBo and family for the years of smiles, support and love, to the wonderful staff at St. Croix who helped us through everything and their continued support. All amazing people with hearts as big as hers.

Per Bonnie’s wishes, there will be no funeral services. A celebration of her life will be announce later by her family. Bonnie will be laid to rest in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, La Crosse.