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LaVonne Anna "Bonnie" Martens Obituary

LaVonne Anna “Bonnie” Martens, age 81, of Savanna, Illinois, died Saturday, November 17, 2012, at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home, Mt. Carroll, Illinois. A funeral service will be held 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 21, 2012 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home, Savanna. Burial will be in Bethel Cemetery, Milledgeville, Illinois. Visitation will be held 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 20, 2012 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home, Savanna. A memorial fund has been established in Bonnie’s memory for the Good Samaritan Nursing Home, Mt. Carroll.

Bonnie was born February 21, 1931 in Sterling, Illinois, the daughter of Walter and Francis (Reins) Kunde. She attended Sterling schools. On October 15, 1947, Bonnie married Harry “Pete” Martens in Sterling. They have celebrated sixty-five years of marriage.

Bonnie loved spending time with family and friends. She also enjoyed scrap booking, swimming, fishing and traveling. She and her husband Pete worked together in family businesses for many years. Bonnie began her working career by washing eggs at the Parks Egg Farm in Milledgeville. She also drove school bus, worked at Wayne’s Royal Blue Grocery, Milledgeville and Stouts Drug Store, Savanna. She and her husband Pete owned and operated the Martin House Restaurant, Milledgeville; the Riverview Road Store, Thomson; and the Pool 13 Supper Club, Savanna.

Bonnie will be dearly missed by her husband, Pete of Good Sam, Mt. Carroll; a daughter, Connie Bell and fiancé Steven of Largo, Florida; a son, Tim and Susan Martens of Pearl City, Illinois; five grandchildren, Dennis Martens, Nikki Bell, Devin (Jolene) Martens, Natalie (Andrew) Kindt and Derek Martens; two step great grandchildren, Marissa and Gabriele Kindt; five great grandchildren, Kip, Sandra, Dustin, Samuel and Genevieve; a brother, Bruce (Gloria) Kunde of Sterling; and a sister Nancy (Carl) Gates of rural Milledgeville. Bonnie is preceded in death by both parents; her stepfather, Herman Conley and two sisters, Jeannine White and JoAnne Wilken.

Condolences

From: Mark and Judy Jacobs

November 21, 2012 4:20 pm

To Tim and Family,

We are so sorry to hear of your Mom's passing. We remember so many times when we came in from a weekend on the river, put our boat away, and stopped at the Pool 13 Supper Club for supper before we went home. Your mom was always so friendly and greeted everyone so warmly. Please accept... Read More

From: McCarty, Nikki

November 20, 2012 9:16 am

Grandma's memorial service will be tomorrow & while I will not be there in person, I will be spending many times throughout the day, and the rest of my life, thinking of her and all the amazing times we had together over the years. Even my last visit with her, while tinged with the sadness of her declining health, is... Read More

From: Sandra Allen

November 19, 2012 8:26 pm

So sorry Pete and family to hear about Bonnie, she wasn't just my boss, she was a true close friend! Will miss her very much! i saw her at Good Sam. the day before election when another election judge and I went up to Good Sam so the residents could vote, Bonnie had to vote in her room as she... Read More

From: Diana West

November 19, 2012 6:58 pm

Dearest Pete and family,

There are no words to say how much I will miss my friend and former boss Bonnie. She was always there at Pool 13 when I showed up for work. She was there to listen; to help; to counsel; and to advise. She loved me unconditionally and cared about all of her employees with a... Read More

From: George Martens

November 19, 2012 2:01 pm

Uncle Pete, Tim, Connie and families. Your long lost cousin is feeling incredibly saddened today and very regretful I was unable to see Bonnie and spend some time with her and Pete this year during the holidays. I so looked forward to Dad and I visiting with them when I was in town even if for a brief time. The... Read More