Bonnie Jean Kirsch, 87

Bonnie Jean Kirsch passed away peacefully on Dec. 29, 2019 after a brief illness surrounded by her loved ones. She was born Aug. 9, 1932 in Polson, and graduated from Polson High School in 1950.

She moved to Colorado and worked there two years before coming back home. She then worked two years at J.C. Penny’s in Polson and then 16 years at Ronan State Bank. She was an avid bowler and held records at Lucky Strikes Lane in Ronan.

Bonnie married Adam G. Kirsch on Dec. 29, 1954. They were married 65 years and are dancing together once again on their wedding date. They lived in Oakland, Calif., for two years prior to moving back to the Bonada Ranch in Ronan to raise cattle and horses. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Parish, Altar Society, Treasurer of the Lake County Cancer Drive, Ronan Range Riders, Ronan Jaycee’s, Ronan Bowling Association, Garden of the Rockies Museum, Ninepipes Museum, Hospital Guild and Bread Basket.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Adam G. Kirsch; her parents, Earn and Bess (Van Hoy) Hoyt; her siblings, Merrill, Edward and Elma Hodge; granddaughter, Kaylynn, niece Lillian (Hodge) Jones; son-in-law, Wes Johnson; and treasured friend, LaVerne McGreevey.

She is survived by her daughter, Gina (Fred Reimers) Johnson; and son, Kevin (Dana) Kirsch. Grandchildren, Josh (Tara) Starkel, Jake (Tyanna) Starkel, Kyla and Kindra Kirsch, Christian and Declan Avison, Tammy (Wes) Barr and Shon (Cathy) Johnson; 8 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Her treasured friends Rick and Jeanne Tameler, Rosie McBurney, Linda Jefferies, Dellie Finkbeiner, Adam’s cat Fireball and her dog Bubba.

Bonnie valued her family and friends, always putting them first. She will always be remembered for her March Madness craze, (go Gonzaga), scrapbooking, flowers, gardening (especially proud of the Asparagus patch from 1957) and devotion to “Young and the Restless.” We love and miss you, Roanie!

A memorial mass for Bonnie will be celebrated on Friday, Jan. 10 at Sacred Heart Parish in Ronan at 11 a.m. A time to share stories and memories will follow with a luncheon after the service. In lieu of flowers she has requested memorials for Bread Basket, Garden of the Rockies Museum, Ninepipes Museum and Lake County Cancer Society. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at www.shriderthompson.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of Shrider – Thompson Funeral Home.