Bonnie Dillard

Bonnie A. Dillard, age 88, went home to be with Jesus Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at her home in Beaver Dam. Visitation for Bonnie will be at Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam on Sunday, March 17, 2019 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Funeral services will follow at the funeral home at 4:00 p.m. with Joe Kazmarek officiating. Hors d’oeuvres and dessert will be served after the service. Bonnie Angela was born on February 2, 1931 in Township of Tainter, Dunn County Wisconsin to the late Claude and Maye (Muralt) Owen. With only an 8th grade education and while raising her children, she passed her college entrance exam and went on to earn her Master’s degree in social work. She retired her career as Branch Director of three mental health clinics at Creoaks in Oklahoma. Bonnie so loved Jesus with all her heart and put God first in her life. She spent hours every day in prayer for her family and friends. She was truly an inspiration to all who knew her. She dearly loved her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. On May 7th 1990, she was united in marriage to the love of her life, Reber Dillard. Bonnie was an avid reader of inspirational and historic texts. In her 70’s she reconnected with her artistic side and learned to paint. She won several awards in Eureka Springs, Ark including “Best of Show”. Bonnie also loved to travel and was fortunate to have visited to many countries and experience different cultures. Heaven gained a very special Angel. Survivors include her four children, Julie (Paul) Astbury of Sherman, CT, Gregory Nelson of Tampa, FL, Cindy Hartt (Randy) of Beaver Dam, and Renee Nelson (Rolando) of Tulsa, OK; eleven grandchildren, Linnea (Kyle) and Jonathan, Debra Joy and Gabriella, Benjamin, Angela (Mesay), and Sarah (Derrick), Farrell, Michael (Tara), Bonni, and Samuel; nine great grandchildren; three siblings, LaVern (Mary) Owen of MN, Miriam Clemens of Tulsa, OK, and Sam (Mary) Owen of WI; other relatives and friends. Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents; her former husband, Vernon Nelson; her husband, Reber Dillard; her son, Freddie Nelson; and her grandson, Joseph Hartt. The Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam is caring for the family. To leave online condolences, or for directions and other information, please visit our website at www.KoepsellFH.com.