Bonny Neuhaus-Kniese

Bonny Neuhaus Kniese was born July 22, 1930 in Yuma, Colorado to Frank and Vera Josh. She was the second of five children. Bonny attended Yuma schools, graduating with the class of 1948 and then attended Barnes Business College in Denver. After graduation she returned to Yuma where she met O.J. Neuhaus. They were married November 18, 1950. Three children, Susan, Peggy, and Dan were born to this union. Bugs and Bonny moved to Wray in 1952 where they owned and operated Bugs Farm Supply. Bonny handled all the bookkeeping duties. In 1966 they moved to Wilcox Arizona and in 1968 returned to Wray to resume operation of their farm implement business, which they later sold. In 1972 they purchased Wray Liquor which they operated until Bugs passed away in October of 1973. Bonny then went to work for Rockwell Building as their office manager. She also worked for Ranchland Livestock on Fridays where she met Marvin Kniese. They were married July 13, 1991. For the next nine years they enjoyed an Alaskan cruise and attending elder hostels around the United States. Marvin passed away in January of 2000. Bonny continued to live in Wray where she enjoyed taking care of her yard and large flower garden. She actively served the Lord at Calvary Lutheran Church. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. In September, 2013 she moved to Sunrise Senior Living to be close to Susan and Dan. Bonny was a quiet, gentle spirit with a servant’s heart whose life revolved around her faith, her family, and her friends. Her faith and love of the Lord was lived, not preached. She was a working mother long before that was the norm. She was a single Mom as well. There was order in her world. The kids and the house were clean, hot meals on the table, the yard was manicured, and she still had time for others.

Bonny was a loyal friend and especially loved the Bon Ami girls. In her final years when the thoughts and words were hard for her she loved with the light in her eyes and her smile. While she will be missed we are thankful for the lessons of her life and all of our memories. Bonny peacefully completed her earthly journey on March 22, 2014.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Dale Josh, her sister Betty Jean DeBellis and son in law Bob Dickson. She is survived by children, Susan Sheridan and husband Chuck of Lakewood, Colorado, Peggy Gustafson and husband Chris of Camano Island, Washington, and Dan Neuhaus of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, stepson James Kniese and wife Kerry of Colleyville, Texas and stepdaughter Janet Brethauer of Dallas, Texas as well as seven grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Shirley Clark of Yuma and Sandra Barrett and husband Robert of Lewisville, North Carolina and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, March 26, 2014, 10:00 a.m. at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Wray, Colorado. Interment was held in the Grandview Cemetery in Wray, Colorado. Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s or Calvary Lutheran Church. Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.