Bonnie Simmonds

Bonnie Jean Simmonds, 76, of Duluth, transitioned to heaven on Tuesday, December 20, 2016, after a courageous nearly three-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

She was born on October 30, 1940, in Superior, Wisconsin, the daughter of Martin and Virginia Wiitanen.

Bonnie graduated from Duluth Central High School. Her first job was at St. Mary’s Hospital Cafeteria in high school. She worked for the Duluth Clinic Business Office, State Farm Insurance, and then for the Alworth Memorial Scholarship Fund for 25 years, retiring in June, 2011.

She gave of her time and talents to many organizations, including serving as Treasurer, Secretary and President of the Cobb School PTA; as a Docent at Glensheen Mansion; and as a Volunteer Reading Partner at Grant School. She was an active member and volunteer at Glen Avon Presbyterian Church, serving on the Board of Trustees and on Session several times; and as Membership Clerk for 28 years, where she tracked various statistics and attendance, and assisted in the organization and creation of the membership directory.

Bonnie was a strong, beautiful and loving soul – a child of God, daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and friend to many. Her strength and positive attitude during this past three challenging years was an inspiration to everyone she encountered.

She enjoyed gardening, sewing, knitting, building dollhouses, and she always considered her jobs as her hobbies. Ten years ago, she found her talent for stained glass work and created and gifted many pieces. She always kept busy. At age 65, she prodded her husband into building a cabin on Comstock Lake as a family legacy. The cabin was a great family project, and is an amazing place, filled with life, love and fond memories.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents, Martin Wiitanen and Virginia Wiitanen Mashuga, niece Lisa Kaspari, and sister-in-law Sheila Wiitanen.

Bonnie is survived by her loving husband of 52 years, Glenn; children, Colleen (Scott) Davis of Meridian, Idaho, Martin Simmonds of Duluth, Minnesota, Carolyn (Jay) Hanson of Bloomington, Minnesota, and Cynthia (John) Badger of Cloquet, Minnesota; grandchildren, Morgan, Sarah and Ryan Badger, and Aaron and Connor Davis; brothers, Richard Wiitanen of West Linn, Oregon, and Eugene (Kathy) Wiitanen of Aurora, Minnesota. In addition, she is survived by several cousins, nieces and nephews.

VISITATION: 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. memorial service, Tuesday, January 3, 2017, at Glen Avon Presbyterian Church, 2105 Woodland Ave., Duluth MN 55803.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Glen Avon Memorials, Glen Avon Presbyterian Church, 2105 Woodland Ave., Duluth MN 55803. Or, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (http://pancan.org), 1500 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.

Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E. Second St., Duluth, (218) 727-3555. To express condolences online, visit: http://doughertyfuneralduluth.com.