Bonnie Jean (Slack) Craft, 74

Bonnie Jean (Slack) Craft passed from this life surrounded by family on May 5, 2009, at Brendan House after nearly a year of fighting to live after being diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer.

She was born in Great Falls on Aug. 11, 1934, to Steve and Mary (Prichard) Slack Jr. She was raised on Beaver Creek Ranch in the Snowy Mountains south of Lewistown.

Bonnie graduated from Fergus County High School in 1952. She married Robert Earl Bechtel and had one son, Robert O. Bechtel, in 1955.

Later, she moved to the Flathead Valley with her son to be near her parents. She worked for a bank in Columbia Falls and later for the County Extension Office until her retirement.

She was married to Arnold Barta for 17 years and later to John W. Craft. They enjoyed exploring Montana, traveling the southwest in the winter, and square dancing.

Bonnie had an eye for color and style which showed in her dress and in her flair for art in the form of watercolors, acrylics, knitting, crocheting and clothing that she made for herself and those she loved.

The Columbia Falls Quilting Guild recently voted to give Bonnie a lifetime membership and donated, to the Columbia Falls Library, a book entitled "Victory Quilts' in her honor and recognition of her beautiful quilts.

She was an excellent cook and loved to gather family and friends on holidays and present them with both wonderful food and a beautiful table setting. She studied piano for several years and played for her own enjoyment. She continued taking lessons while in Brendan House. She loved to learn.

She had a quick wit, great sense of humor and a dignity that carried her through this process with the help of friends and family.

She loved spending the day shopping, having lunch or quilting and laughing with her friend and sister-in-law, Carolyn Slack, who spent this past year with her from the beginning of her final journey to the end.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Roy; and husbands, Robert E. Bechtel, Arnold R. Barta and John W. Craft.

Bonnie is survived by her son, Robert O. Bechtel and Deborah; sister, Ila Barta and Bob; brother, Jack Slack and Carolyn; and numerous nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her beloved pets, Fritzy and Joker.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 19, at the Fairview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are with the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls.