Bonnie Jean Whiteaker, age 92, of Emporia, KS passed away on Sunday October 20, 2024 at the Holiday Resort Care Center in Emporia, Kansas.
Bonnie Jean was born on June 27, 1932, in Mound City, Missouri. She was the daughter of Jesse Arthur and Ada Lucille Wilson. She spent most of her childhood near Calico Rock, Arkansas. She graduated from Calico Rock High School in 1949.
She married Eldon Glen Whiteaker in 1948. In 1951 they moved to Kansas and spent most of their married life near Wellsville, before moving to rural Ottawa where they lived until Eldon passed away in 1983.
In 1992 she married Roy Wiklund. They were later divorced.
Bonnie Jean worked at People’s Bank in Ottawa for many years and retired from there as a loan officer in 1992. In 2012 she moved to Emporia, Kansas.
Bonnie Jean was a wonderful cook and loved to put her cooking skills to good use, especially at Christmas which was her favorite time of year. She always provided a huge feast, complete with lots of homemade candy and other treats. She also loved to decorate and her home was always decorated beautifully for the holidays. Many wonderful memories were made for her family and friends.
She is survived by her son Gary and wife Peggy; her daughter Rebecca; her granddaughter Amy Ditto and husband Chad; grandson Aaron Whiteaker and wife Katie; great granddaughter Emilea Furman; and great grandson Zane Whiteaker; and brother David Wilson (Phyllis) of Calico Rock, Arkansas.
Bonnie Jean is preceded in death by her parents; her brothers Scott Wilson, Charles Wilson, Bill Wilson, Bob Wilson, and Don Wilson; and her sisters Frances Jetten and Patricia Jeffery.
She had been a member of Wellsville Baptist Church in Wellsville, Kansas and North Baptist Church in Ottawa, Kansas.
A private inurnment will be held at Highland Cemetery, Ottawa, Kansas.
