Ruth Stacie Kroeger Bonath

Ruth Stacie Kroeger Bonath

Ruth Stacia Kroeger Bonath passed away on September 26, 2017 at the age of 83. Ruth was a resident at Blue Skies of Texas-West, and formerly lived in Castroville. She was born June 20, 1934 in Flandreau, SD, child of Raymond Kroeger and Stacia Inez Anderson Kroeger.
She spent her early years assisting her father on the farm. In her high school years at Flandreau, SD, she was a member of the National Honor Society, and at graduation she received the P.E.O. award for her potential among young women.
She entered Sioux Valley Hospital of Nursing upon high school graduation. During December of 1952 she met her future husband.
On September 11, 1955, she married Harold D. Bonath at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Flandreau. After their wedding and honeymoon, they moved to Dixon, NE, where her husband served as pastor. She was employed as an RN at Wayne, NE and O’Neil, NE during their time at Dixon/Coleridge and Chambers/Amelia. Their first son LaMont was born in NE. They moved to near McGregor, IA, as her husband continued his graduate degree in the Methodist ministry. During their tenure there, she served as special duty RN. Their daughter, Laurie, was born in 1958.
After her husband’s graduation from Garrett Seminary at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, they were assigned to Melvin, IA. Ruth worked at Sheldon Community Hospital and their second son, Kyle, was born in 1961.
In 1965, her husband was accepted into the Air Force Chaplaincy. She continued her professional career throughout the country…in Montana, in Florida (twice), Texas (twice) and California. Overseas, she continued her education while her husband was assigned in England. Later she served as a school nurse in Adana, Turkey and Madrid, Spain. During their assignment at Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo, TX, she received her B.S. cum laude and in graduate school was an elected member of the National English Honor Society “Sigma Tau Delta” and the Honor Society in Education “Kappa Delta Pi.” In 1977, Ruth earned a Master of Education.
In 1987, in California, Ruth moved into the administration in nursing, passing the state and national licensing exams for long-term care to become an administrator. She served in that capacity while in California and after her husband’s retirement in Texas. In 1992, she was selected as administrator of a new long-term care facility in Castroville, TX. Her facility grew and prospered under her administration. She retired as administrator in 1999.
In retirement Ruth continued teaching and testing certified nurse aides. After which she visited long-term care facilities for the state of Texas assessing quality assurance. She retired totally in 2004 and volunteered in pharmacies at Lackland AFB for several years.
During her time, after returning to Texas, she was active in the Medina Valley United Methodist Church in Castroville. She served as Chairperson of the Administrative Council along with tenures on several different boards and committees. Ruth assisted with Children’s Church for three years.
In 2006, Ruth and her husband moved to Air Force Village II, presently Blue Skies W. While at the Village, she represented the health care center on the Resident’s Council and also spent her time on the precinct voting committee as a volunteer.
She was noted for deep commitment to her family and health care. All who knew her enjoyed her vivacious personality and her natural sense of humor. She enjoyed setting up practical jokes that were well-timed and truly funny. Her family centered life was a beacon in a service-filled life.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents.
Survivors include her husband of 62 years, Harold D. Bonath; children Rev. LaMont (Donna) Bonath of Paoli, IN, Laurie (Ron) Wegner of Austin, TX, and Kyle (Karen) Bonath of Lubbock, TX; grandchildren Stacia (Andy) Wegner Comer, Paul Wegner, Kyra Bonath and Kade Bonath; sister Shirley (Tom) Ullom of Sioux Falls, SD.
Medina Valley United Methodist Church opened at 9:30 am prior to the Memorial Service on Saturday, October 7, 2017 at 10:30 am. A reception followed in the church fellowship hall. Inurnment was private at Fort Sam National Cemetery. Memorials may be made in Ruth’s memory to the Medina Valley United Methodist Church Memorial Fund.
Arrangements by Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home.