Catherine Bonham, 87

Catherine Bonham, 87, of Kalispell, “passed into the arms of Jesus” on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2012, at 2:45 p.m. She was surrounded by her family as they sang the music that she loved. 

Catherine Louise Keathley was born in Friendship, Tenn., on Nov. 27, 1924, to W.H. and Bertha Harwell Keathley. She grew up in the small town of Dyer, Tenn., where she made lifelong friendships and cultivated her love of music. 

After graduating from Peabody College in Nashville, Tenn., with a degree in music education, Catherine sang professionally in Nashville before going to work for the airlines where she met Bob Bonham, marrying in August of 1951 in Memphis, Tenn. Bob and Catherine lived in Warren, Ind., Hernando, Miss., Hamilton, Ala., Memphis, and Galveston, Texas, owning and operating small-town newspapers. Catherine did everything from set type to answer phones during this busy time in their lives when Rusty and Cathy were born.

They settled in 1959 in Levittown, Pa., where her third child, Tom, was born and set herself to her first passion and most important career — being a loving and nurturing wife and mother. During the 1970s and 1980s, the family lived in Holland, Pa., where Catherine was loved and appreciated as a church organist, pianist and piano teacher.

In 1989, Catherine and Bob moved to Kalispell to be among family, and at that time she began a more than 20-year career as a volunteer at Kalispell Regional Medical Center, something she loved and did with such pride and delight. In 2008, she was designated Volunteer of the Year at KRMC, making all of her family even more proud of her generous spirit. She especially loved her work in the hospital gift shop. When her eyesight and health began to slow her down, she was given the gig of a lifetime — playing the baby grand piano in the hospital lobby.

Catherine was a member of Mountain View Mennonite Church in Kalispell and served as the pianist for many years. Her circle of friends from the hospital, the church and the neighborhood were loved and enjoyed, whether at lunch together, playing Skip-Bo, or sitting out on the front porch. The kindness and love her friends returned to Catherine were always treasured by her. 

Catherine had a vivacity, love of life, and positive spirit which was infectious and reached out to so many. She had an incredible gift of hospitality and warmth, making friends wherever she went and cherishing them all.  Catherine personified "grace" in everything she did. Catherine will be sorely missed for her love, her generous spirit, and her hospitality — She was truly a Southern belle!

She leaves behind a legacy of service, love and encouragement.

She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Robert Bonham; children, Rusty Bonham and wife Mary Lou of Portland, Cathy Brenneman of Kalispell, and Thomas Bonham and wife Cindy of Peculiar, Mo.; grandchildren, Leah and John Eads, Hannah Bonham, Luke and Kat Bonham, Jesse Brenneman, Erin Brenneman, Nathan and Rute Bonham, Emily Bush, Hannah Bonham and Josh Bonham. She leaves behind five great-grandchildren; and many special friends who were like family to her. 

Memorial gifts may be given in Catherine's name to the ministry work of her son and grandson through Foolishness International, P.O. Box 132, Peculiar, MO 64078, for the Nakonde Orphanage.

A service to celebrate the life of Catherine will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4, at Mountain View Mennonite Church, Creston. Cremation has taken place. She will be buried at a later date at the family cemetery in Warren. 

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Catherine’s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Catherine’s tribute wall.