Bonnie Jean Cram was born on October 22, 1926, at the farm of her parents, Lloyd and Ione Waters, nine miles south of St. Francis. She grew up there with her 2 older sisters, Janetta and Jeneva, her younger sister Dolly, and younger brother Fred. She attended Sunny Ridge rural country school and graduated from St. Francis High School in 1944. Earning money for college while working after high school, she attended Kansas State University during 1945-1946.
She married Ernest R. Cram, known affectionately as Dick, on August 29, 1948, at the Methodist Church in St. Francis. They lived in Lawrence and Kansas City while Dick completed medical school at the University of Kansas in 1952. Bonnie attended Kansas City Art Institute during that time, until Richard, their first child, was born in 1953. The family moved to Denver, Colorado where daughter Ione was born in 1953. After Dick completed his military service at Westover Air Force Base in Massachusetts, the family moved back to St. Francis in 1954 where Dick started his medical practice. Bonnie and Dick had three more children in St. Francis: daughter Claudia born in 1955, son Ole born in 1962, and daughter Adele born in 1971.
Bonnie loved her life, family, faith, and community in St. Francis. She painted, sculpted, sang, acted, and wrote. She and Dick starred in several community theater productions, including Music Man, Dust on the Sunflowers, Hello Dolly, Taming of the Shrew, and Fiddler on the Roof. She encouraged all of her children to pursue their artistic passions, taking them to art, piano, and dance lessons. She saw St. Francis as a city of light. She became a founding member of the local arts organization, CC4C, supporting its many activities and exhibits.
Bonnie enjoyed many gourmet and international cooking, putting on elaborate dinners for her family and many friends. Sitting down to one of Bonnie's dinners in the "Green Room" was always a sublime experience. She always had cappuccino and freshly baked cinnamon rolls or scones ready in her kitchen for her many friends dropping by.
Bonnie and Dick loved flying in their Beechcraft airplane "Love Baby" on Wednesday afternoons. Bonnie enthusiastically signed up for flying lessons and even soloed, taking her co-pilot duties with Dick seriously. After their flying duties were over, Bonnie and Dick became dedicated golfers, hitting Riverside Golf Course almost daily.
Always interested in politics, Bonnie worked very actively in the Republican Party for many decades, beginning as Bob Dole's Cheyenne County campaign chair in 1960 for his first race for Congress and continuing through his political career. She arranged countless coffees for visiting Republican office seekers and elected officials.
Bonnie's faith could move mountains. She read the Bible daily, memorized scriptures, prayed, and enjoyed hosting a weekly Bible study group in her home. As a young girl, her dream was to become a missionary to China. Although she never made it to China, Bonnie served as a wonderful missionary to all who were fortunate enough to know her and experience her warmth.
Bonnie Cram passed away peacefully on March 8, 2023 in Ellis, Kansas surrounded by family. She is survived by her five children: Richard Lloyd Cram; Ione Beth Slattery and spouse Mike; Claudia Ray Bunker; Ole Robert Cram III and spouse Elinor; and Adele Elizabeth DeGood and spouse Darris. She is also survived by thirteen grandchildren: Megan Elizabeth Comfoltey and spouse Nick; Julian Robert Bunker and spouse Maryah; Joel Michael Bunker; Shannon Michelle Moore and spouse Marissa; Hope Elena Cram; Grace Amelia Cram; Issac Richard Cram; Katy Jean Cram; Nya Joy Cram; Micah Robert Cram; Paige Elizabeth DeGood; Dawsen Dean DeGood; and Cora Jean DeGood. She has three great-grandchildren: Cyprian Michael Bunker, Lyla Elizabeth Comfoltey, and Edward Arche Comfoltey.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Francis United Methodist Church in St. Francis, Kansas; 202 on Washington Events Center; or Ellis Good Samaritan Society.