Bonnie L. Berger

Beloved wife, devoted mother, daughter, and proud grandmother Bonnie L. Berger “went to be with our Lord” on May 8, after a prolonged battle with cancer.

Bonnie was born Jan. 8, 1939, to Ralph and Emma Hennessey in Whitefish. Bonnie received her education in Whitefish graduating from Whitefish High School in 1957. While in high school, she was very active. She represented Whitefish at Girls State, for which she was very proud. Bonnie served on the high school council, sang in the glee club, and was a Rainbow Girl.

Soon after graduating she married her high school sweetheart, John Berger. They initially made their home in Los Alamitos, Calif., where John was stationed with the U.S. Navy, ultimately settling in the Seattle area.

Bonnie’s lifelong priorities were God, her husband, her children, extended family and friends. She was very loyal to the goals associated with her priorities. She made no enemies, and extended Christian fellowship to all she met.

She was a true homemaker, and never wanted or needed to work outside the home. Bonnie always felt she was so fortunate to be able to stay home and raise her three sons.

Bonnie was noted for her thoughtfulness and particularly her card writing. She never missed an opportunity to recognize a good deed done to her or a friend’s birthday or any other occasion she deemed proper.

Bonnie was always looking for an opportunity to represent her Lord whenever possible. Many felt she was a wonderful example of a Christian woman.

Bonnie was preceded in death by a baby daughter; her father, Ralph Hennessey; mother, Emma Hennessey; and sister, Jesse Schlinger.

She is survived by husband, John Berger, of Bellevue, Wash.; three children, John E. Berger, of Seattle, David Berger and his wife, Magda, of Seattle, and Dane Berger, of Seattle; and two grandchildren. She is also survived by brother, Ralph N. Hennessey and his wife Peggy, of Whidbey Island, Wash. Bonnie also had several nieces and nephews who were very special to her.

Bonnie’s passing is an overwhelming loss to her family and friends and especially to her husband John. They were to celebrate their 56th wedding anniversary on July 1. All who knew her were touched in some special way and Bonnie was loved by many for her kindness and selflessness. She will be missed by so many people.

A celebration of Bonnie’s life will take place in Bellevue, Wash., on May 26, at Crossroads Bible Church. A second celebration of her life will take place June 30 in Whitefish at the Whitefish United Methodist Church.