Bonnie Joy (Patterson) Voss, 30 Nov 1934 - 26 Aug 2024

VOSS, PATTERSON, FRY, MCGIVERN, HANSEN, REUGSEGGER

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 9/4/2024 at 14:56:17

Bonnie Joy Voss, age 89 of Marengo, passed away Monday, August 26, 2024 at the University of Iowa Hospital, Iowa City, IA. Graveside Services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, August 29, 2024 at the Marengo Cemetery, with Rev. Tim Miller officiating. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity in Bonnie’s name. Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo is assisting the family with arrangements.

Surviving are her children, Vanessa McGivern, Lake View, Iowa, and Anthony “Tony” Voss, Des Moines, Iowa; Granddaughter Megan Hansen and husband Jeff, and their children Delainey, Chayse, Graceyn, Kloey, and Payge of Schaller, IA. Also surviving are a brother, Robert Patterson, West Palm Beach, FL, and sister Linda May Patterson, Rochester, MN. She was preceded in death by her husband Norman, her parents, Nellie & Edwin Patterson, fiance Ivan Reugsegger, brother Jerry Patterson, sister Sharon Patterson, and son-in-law Jack McGivern.

Bonnie Joy Patterson was born November 30, 1934, in Iowa City, the daughter of Edwin & Nellie (Fry) Patterson. She graduated from Marengo High School in 1953. Bonnie married Norman Voss on May 22,1954 at the Methodist Church in Marengo. Norman was overseas during the Korean war when their first child Vanessa Lynn was born on June 21, 1955. Norman returned from service and worked at Amana Refrigeration until he decided on farming. On August 23, 1957, Anthony Kent was born. Bonnie was a housewife, and mother who also helped Norman with farming. She had a large garden which produced lots of vegetables for canning. They raised cows, pigs and chickens all of which were butchered to put food on the table. Even though we grumbled about having to do chores every day, she kept us in our place as to what needed to be done living on a farm!

Bonnie was a member of the Methodist Church in Williamsburg and Marengo. In those days our family went to church and had supper at home or at grandma’s house. We were so lucky growing up with good cooks in the family and everything was made from scratch. When having family reunions Mom took enough food to feed an army.

Bonnie sang in the choir, and with the Believers, took food for funerals, and to friends with an illness, or just to have them try a new recipe. She enjoyed crafting, crocheting, ceramics, and later in life made many quilts for herself, children, grandchildren, and friends. Although they moved around renting various farms in the area, eventually landed on a farm in the Marengo area. Bonnie owned the Fashions Inn in Williamsburg, Iowa for 10 years and after selling the store, and the death of Norman, she bought a house in Williamsburg and worked part time for Ben Franklin, and continued working for the public until her retirement. She did some traveling with Don Misel, a close family friend and classmate. She enjoyed dances and went to those around the area with Ivan Reugsegger and Bette McGivern. When her health became an issue she moved into the LaFayette Lodge, and lived there for three years and then into Rose Haven Nursing in Marengo.

Published in The Hometown Current on September 4, 2024.