Karen A Bonnewell

Karen Ann Bonnewell (82) passed away June 22, 2024, at Holy Spirit Retirement Home with family present after a lengthy illness. Services will be held July 13, 2024, at 12:00pm, with family present from 10:00am until service time, and are under the direction of Christy-Smith Funeral Homes.

Karen was born in Goodland, Kansas, to Otto and Edna (Tippin) Seibert on April 3, 1942. She lived in Goodland throughout her formative years, graduating from Goodland High School. 

Karen met Robert Bonnewell in Goodland, KS while Robert was working harvest. They were married April 10, 1960, and made their homes in Goodland and Kiowa, Kansas, where they welcomed children Patricia, Barbara, and Cynthia into their lives. They later moved to Enid, Oklahoma, where they resided for many years and welcomed children Lynda, Roger, and Michelle. In June 1975, Robert’s job relocated their family to Sioux City, Iowa, where Robert and Karen spent the remainder of their lives.

Karen made her life as a homemaker, taking care of her children. She was active within the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts programs with her children. She also occasionally assisted Michelle with her granddaughter Taylor’s Girl Scouts activities. 

Outside the home Karen worked for Hardee’s Restaurant, the Sioux City Auditorium, and Kum & Go. Additionally, while working at the auditorium, she ran the flea market. Karen enjoyed fishing, camping, crafting, painting, playing bingo, traveling, and spending her time with family and friends. Karen was an avid bowler, having been a member of the ladies bowling league at the Plaza Bowling Alley for many years. Later in life, she enjoyed spending time with and caring for her grandchildren. One of her favorite past times was drinking coffee while sitting on her front porch just enjoying life and watching her birds.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert; daughters, Barbara and Lynda; son, Roger; son-in-law, Rod Kennedy; great-grandson, Kamden Kennedy; and her brothers, Robert and Laurel Seibert.

She is survived by her children, Patricia Evans (Shane Roy) and Cynthia Kennedy, both from Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Michelle Bonnewell from Sioux City, Iowa; Robert’s son, Robert Lee Bonnewell (Mary Beth) whom she loved as her own, from Andover, Kansas; her grandchildren, Natasha Bonnewell (Chris Wall), Robert “RC” Davis, Cameron “Scott” Davis (Susan Tanner), Corey Kennedy (Billie Jo), Tanner Bonnewell, Taylor King, Mikaela (Anthony) Holmes, Jayme Bonnewell; by her great-grandchildren Daxton Bonnewell, Dustin Dalzell, Kaydence Davis, Riley “Ozzi” Davis, Brian Tanner, Conner Davis, Jude Kennedy and Owen Kennedy; bonus grandchildren Zain Knudson and Lathan Dorrah; and many life-long friends.

The family would like to thank those who spent extra time with her over the last few years, Jason Winter and Barb Grant. 

Memorials may be made directly to the family, or donations made to Holy Spirit Retirement Home in Karen’s name.