Born: October 7, 1936 - Deceased: 20231216
Bonnie B. Acker, nee Ebberson, 87, of Swansea, IL, born Wednesday, October 7, 1936, in Bokoshe, OK, passed away Saturday, December 16, 2023 at Missouri Baptist Medical Center in Saint Louis, MO.
Bonnie worked as a bookkeeper for the Scotts Bluff County Clerk’s Office. Bonnie learned as a young woman how to care for others. Her father died suddenly when she was 14 years old. She took care of her siblings without fail while her mother managed to keep the bills paid. She raised her children with the same care she did with her siblings. Everyone who knew her felt they were perfect humans regardless of what faults were apparent to others. She lost her youngest son Bill to cancer when he was 28 years old. Her other son Gary died of a heart attack in the next decade followed by her husband Jim. While she was deeply devastated by these losses, she never lost her smile or her ability to express kind words for everyone. She has been known as Grandma Bonnie by so many people. She loved being a Grandma. She resided in IL for the past 14 years, and enjoyed her remaining years immensely. Her great friends Betty Powers, and Margaret King had many adventures together.
She was preceded in death by her:
- Husband, James G. Acker
- Parents, Wendell and Bess, nee Gravatt, Ebberson
- Sister, Vera Bonner
- Sons:
- Gary Acker
- Bill Acker
- Step-daughter, Karen Acker
- Step-son, Bob
Surviving are her:
- Children:
- Jaynie (Brian) Wells of IL
- Donna (Bruce) Bennett of SD
- Stepchildren:
- Barb Williams of WY
- Jim Acker of NE
- Brother, Wendell “Punk” Ebberson of AZ
- Sisters:
- Ruthie Lazott of OR
- Betty (Keith) Hammock of AZ
- Gail (Roland) McDonald of FL
- Grandchildren:
- Tina (Buck) Romey of NE
- Bryan Gregorich of IL
- Elisa Gregorich of CO
- Tiara (Andy) Nice, of SD
- Step-grandchildren:
- Craig (Josh Sheetz)Williams
- Wendy Zalesky
- Chris (Lisa) Acker
- Jenny Wiersma-Acker
- Eric (Emily) Acker
- Kimberly (Ryan) Ollinger
- Kristy (Paul Travis) Acker
- Great-grandchildren:
- Tukker Romey
- Breeana Romey
- Ryder Gregorich
- Zoey
- Lilly Nice
- Many step-grandchildren, step-great grandchildren, and step-great great grandchildren
- Many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, and her best pal, Camelot
Memorials: Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of your choice,
Visitation: Visitation from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 pm, Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at Kurrus Funeral Home with Rev. Doug Stewart officiating. Private Interment at Gering Nebraska Cemetery.
13 Comments
Jaynie and Brian, I am sorry for your loss, but ant the same time, I am extremely grateful Bonnie was in my life! Even when she was irritated by something, she would still smile and let out that cute little chuckle! She will be missed!
Thank you Aunt Bonnie. You helped me and our family get thru a lot together. No matter how hard the situation or problem was, you kept pushing on with a positive attitude. And always laughing and smiling. I will miss you but I have tons of great memories with you and that makes me feel better. Rest in peace.🙏
HI Mark! I cherish the many times we were together. The times we all went to the park and had rootbeer floats, or when you and the others spent time in Church with us:-)
Love you cousin!
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. May you find comfort and peace.
We are sorry we can’t come to the service.
Love Ruthie and Kathy Lazott
Hi Ruthie and Kathy,
I remember you coming to visit. Billy found out that you did a lot with organizing the family tree. He got an A+ on the information you sent him.
Thanks for the memories!
I am so sorry for your loss. I loved Aunt Bonnie so much. She had an infectious laugh and such a kind loving heart. She will be greatly missed. ❤️
Hi Patricia.
Here we are once again. Thank you for all the wonderful times we had during family get togethers and during branding season. These are the precious moments that keep us strong at times like these.
To a Great Aunt who was always fun to be around growing up she could cook some amazing stuff with hotdogs and her magic ingredients will miss her laughter and her toughness because she never bent through anything my fondest memory is when she was in Cocoa Beach and got the bar bill from Double Tree she said Holy Shit laughing I love you forever Bonnie and will never forget you 😌Say Hello to Jim ,Billy and Gary for me love ya !
Hi Jeff,
The memories I have of you are precious. Remember the time you and Billy and Gary got on the radio after the football game and all you did was laugh the whole time. Gary Drown just let you do your thing, he didnt cut you off at any time:-) We were all so very young! What about the time you guys got to recording your own version of The Three Little Pigs on the tape recorder!! Hilarious!!
We will be reunited at Father Gods calling as this is His promise to those of us who believe!
Love ya 🙂
I have five sisters, all of them have wonderful hearts, Bonnie had a special one.. She was always there when we were growing up. She was our caretaker when Mom was working, she was our ” uber” driver when she got her license. The most important thing she was able to do was to make us remember that we were a family. Her smile and her laugh will be in my heart forever! I love you and will miss you.
HI Uncle Punk,
I was talking to mom a short time ago and she told me about the time, it was shortly after you lost Grandpa Wendell, and you, mom, Betty Jones were driving and you all smelled the pipe smoke Grandpa used to smoke 🙂 Keep the memories strong. She loved you so very much!
Hugs,
Donna
Bonnie was my “go to” person at the Scotts Bluff County clerks office. I was a new reporter for the Gering Courier and had no idea what I was supposed to do.
She helped me learn the ropes especially during elections. She was kind, gentle and had big heart.
Hi Faye,
Thank you for being a friend to my mom. She could put anyone at ease.