BONNIE STITES Obituary

STITES
BONNIE J. STITES
October 3, 1928 November 18, 2020
Bonnie Stites, age 92, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister passed away peacefully on November 18, 2020 at Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs.
She was born October 3, 1928 in Brown County near Fairview, Kansas to the late Ward Bernard Rooney and Lillian M. (Walton) Rooney. After graduating from Fairview High School she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Huntington University, near Huntington, Indiana. She and her late husband, Elmo Earl Stites, were married for 61 years, and spent over sixty years in Colorado Springs raising their family. Bonnie was a teacher at Fort Carson Elementary School for 30 years.
Bonnie was a devout Christian and attended church faithfully her entire life. She was a member of the Central Church of the Nazarene in Colorado Springs for many years.
Her family was the focus of her life. She traveled with them during the summer months, visiting relatives, and a summer cottage in Michigan. The family also enjoyed a month-long trip to Hawaii. It was truly a wonderful experience! During her retirement, she enjoyed extensive travels, driving across the country visiting 48 states with Elmo, Elmo's sister, Lola Lee and her late husband, Stanley Peters.
Bonnie loved to cook and had an extensive cookbook collection. It brought joy to bake cookies with her children and grandchildren. She particularly loved family picnics in Cheyenne Canyon by Helen Hunt Falls where her children and grandchildren would frolic in the creek. Her daily view if Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods brought joy and contentment. A favorite pastime was listening to Gospel music and playing the piano.
Bonnie was preceded in death by her husband, Elmo, and one child. She is survived by two loving children, a sister, Candy Ryan, and her dear friend and companion, Larry Geear. Also many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A memorial service to honor Bonnie has been delayed due to virus pandemic restrictions.