Carol Saxe-Bonn
Carol Arlene (Saxe) Bonn, 87, went to be with her Lord, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.
Carol was born Aug. 20, 1937, in the Village of Cornell, to Vernon and Lydia (Schultz) Saxe.
She was the youngest of six children. Carol’s father passed when she was three and her mother, when she was 12. She then lived with foster families.
Carol attended Cornell Elementary School and graduated from Cornell High School in 1955. While attending school, she was an honor student, president of the band and pep club, treasurer of the senior class, was in choir, girls’ glee and mixed six sextet.
She played percussion, was in the school orchestra and pep band. Carol was a cheerleader, a member of the “C” Club, in the class play, tumbling team, dance team, jump rope team and went to State, all four years of forensics.
Following high school, Carol worked for Whirlpool and as a private secretary. She worked for Dr. Strait, as an assistant, at the Cornell Courier and the Eau Claire Leader Telegram.
Carol married Ed “Bud” Bonn, Sept. 22, 1956, at First Presbyterian Church in Cornell. They farmed in the town of Ruby. They divorced after 35 and a half years.
She then moved north of Holcombe, to a quiet bay on the Chippewa River.
Carol was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Cornell. Her love of the Lord was deep in her soul. She served as elder, Sunday School superintendent, leader of the youth choir, taught Sunday School and Bible School. She later became the secretary for the parish.
She was a former member of the Ruby Friendship Club, Ruby Homemakers and president of the Ruby Community Club. She was also a Cub Scouts leader, serving as the first female Webelos leader in the White Pine District. She was assistant Cubmaster of Pack 113 and received the White Pine District Award of Merit.
Carol reorganized the dissolved Girl Scouts program in Holcombe, and was leader of the senior troop. Bud, Carol and their friends, Duane and Carol Dressel, founded the Fourth of July Fun Fest.
She served as president and secretary/treasurer of the Cornell American Legion Auxiliary, and carried the flag in many parades. She was also a member of the Lions club. She served as secretary/treasurer and served on the District 27E1 Lions cabinet, where she later became editor of the district newspaper.
Carol and her husband served as District Governor, and partner in 1988-89. She received several awards, because of her service through the Lions club.
Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her greatest joy on this earth! She followed all their endeavors, supported them in any undertaking and attended any event of theirs that she could. She was very proud of them.
She is survived by her four children – Barbara (Sean) O’Halloran, Prior Lake, Minn., Jane (Ken) Ash, Holcombe, Tim Bonn, Holcombe, and Traci (Frank Jr.) Cynor, Brackett; daughter-in-law – Kris Bonn; eight grandchildren – Colleen (Chris ) Hackley, T.J. Bonn, Cody Cynor, Brittany (Forest) Dressel, Thomas (Katie) O’Halloran, Ryan Ash, Kayla (Eli) Zdroik and Michael Bonn; nine great-grandchildren, with one on the way; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her sons – Darrell and Mike; daughter-in-law – Sheila Bonn; three sisters – Verna Saxe, Agnes Burish-Guthrie and Iva Engen-Lutz; brothers – Doran and Don Saxe; her foster parents – Clarence and Milda Weiland; and her former husband – Bud.
Services will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, Sept. 27, at First Presbyterian Church in Cornell, with Pastor Beverly Thompson officiating. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m., and go until the start of service, at 1 p.m.
Interment will take place following the service, at the Cornell Cemetery, with lunch to follow at the Lake Holcombe Lions Club pavilion in Holcombe.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.bortonleiserfuneralhome. com. Borton-Leiser Funeral Home in Cornell, is assisting the family.
