Bonnie Mitchell Obituary

Bonnie Kay Mitchell, 80, of Winnebago, died September 26, 2024 at the Serenity Hospice Center in Oregon, surrounded by her loving family.
Bonnie was born on January 27, 1944, in Loran, IL to Harold and Victoria Katzenberger. She has two siblings, an older sister, Margaret and younger brother, Nick. She was lucky enough to be part of the Mitchell family for so long that she was always more than a sister- in-law to all of Doug's younger siblings as well.
Bonnie married the love of her life, Douglas Mitchell, on August 23, 1964. They had two daughters, Nicole and Angela. Their girls gave them 5 amazing granddaughters to love and spoil. Bonnie was truly the most wonderful and fun-loving grandma. She was up for anything they asked her to do, especially tickle them while they snuggled on the sofa. She also loved cheering at all their various sporting and drama adventures. Her granddaughters were truly blessed with the kindest, most loving grandma anyone could ask for. They were her world.
Bonnie graduated from Cosmetology School in Freeport, IL in 1976. After they moved from Pearl City to Winnebago, she started a salon in their home. She was the "it" place to get a mullet or a perm in the 80's and we don't think she raised her prices once in her 45-year career. Up until a few years ago, she was still cutting several "regulars" for about $8.
Bonnie loved golfing with her husband, Doug, at Mauh-nah-tee-see Country Club where they had many wonderful memories and made life-long friends. Her and Doug also spent many winters golfing and hunting for estate sales in Arizona. Her and Doug loved to travel and took wonderful trips to Alaska and Australia over their 58-year marriage.
We all know how much Bonnie loved her penny slot machines, especially Buffalo machines! She loved to go on her annual Vegas vacation with her amazing group of friends. She went until she was 78 and was still usually the last one up. Bonnie was always up for adventure and loved to spend time with her family and friends.
Survived by her children, Nicole Mitchell (Matt) and Angela Alton (Jerome), and her 5 beautiful granddaughters (Riley, Logan, Emerson, Willow and Sawyer). She is also survived by her brother, Nick Katzenberger (Lenore), brother in-law, Brad Mitchell (Debbie), sister in laws, Martha Mitchell, Lori Kempel (Joel), Teri Mitchell (Mark) and Luann Byers (Perry) and many nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by her beloved husband, Douglas Mitchell, her parents, Harold and Victoria Katzenberger, her in-laws, Jay and Maxine Mitchell and brother-in law, Mark Mitchell (Teri).
A visitation and celebration of life will be held on October 4, 2024, at the Prairie View Golf Course Pavilion in Byron, Illinois from 5 - 8pm. Please join us for appetizers and beverages to celebrate her wonderful life.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been set up at the US Bank, Winnebago branch. Checks can be made out to and sent to:
US Bank, Winnebago
606 N Elida Street
Winnebago, Il 61088
Bonnie wanted to continue her dedication to her community by setting up various scholarships for the Winnebago girls' athletics which gave her and Doug such wonderful memories through their daughters' high school careers. She also wanted to donate to the Serenity Hospice Home in Oregon, Il, which gave her wonderful comfort and kindness in her final days.