Bonita Mae Boyce
April 13, 1927 - April 5, 2022
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A viewing will be held Monday, April 11, 2022 at Sheridan Baptist Church, Sheridan, Oregon at 4:00 - 7:00 pm. A Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at Sheridan Baptist Church at 11:00 am. Private family committal to follow at Green Crest Memorial Park.
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Bonita Mae Venneberg was born on April 13th,1927 in Tacoma, Washington. She was the daughter and only child of Otto and Eunice Venneberg. Her parents preceded her in death in 1970 (Eunice) and 1975 (Otto).
On August 27, 1950, Bonita married Rufus Franklin Boyce, and they made their home together in Tacoma, Roy, Yelm, and ultimately Eatonville, Washington. Bonita and Rufus are survived by their three children: son Douglas (Deb) Boyce, daughter Marcia (Price) Hallmann, and son Joel (Kathy) Boyce. For many years they proudly filled the role of honorary parents to Sonia (Dwayne) Yoder. Rufus and Bonita moved to Willamina, Oregon somewhere around 1980, where they lived together until Rufus led the way to Heaven in February of 1990.
Bonita attended Linfield College but ultimately received her teaching degree from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington. She spent many years as a teacher at Eatonville Middle School and then went on to help start and run Christian schools in both Washington and Oregon. She was at the forefront of Pioneer Christian School. She later received her Ph. D from Valley Christian University in the early 1980s and became known as “Dr. B”.
However, many more of us have known her simply as ‘Grandma’; a name anyone that met her would immediately be informed they should call her. Grandma Boyce lovingly called her home ‘Montage Manor’, as it was constantly in a state of renovation. Montage Manor was known for having a door that was always open to those in need of a place to stay. And for having a table ready with a bowl of homemade macaroni and cheese, chili, or her hamburger gravy lovingly termed ‘Okanagan Poverty Slop’. And, it wouldn’t be Grandma’s house if there wasn’t one of Grandma's fresh biscuits or cinnamon rolls on the side...
In addition to her children, she is survived by her thirteen grandchildren: Matthew (Kelsey) Boyce; Amanda (Jason) Callahan; Scott (Paula) Hallmann; Lindsey (Austin) Kale; Melissa (Rich) Schroepfer; Michael (Jen) Boyce; Jennifer Boyce; Heather (Ahmad) Al Rawi; Eric (Laura) Boyce; Katrina Boyce; Kimberly (Jed) Bennett; Kailey Yoder; Mikenna Yoder.
Bonita was also the proud Grandma to twelve great-grandchildren: Marcus and Lucas Hallmann; Ryker Kale; Richie and Olivia Schroepfer; Jace and Carson Boyce; Zaid and Laith Al Rawi; Harlan, Brodie, and Hailey Boyce.
Just a week shy of her ninety-fifth birthday, Bonita passed away on April 5th, 2022 in Dallas, Oregon at the Dallas Retirement Village.
Bonita was a wife, mother, grandmother, school teacher, Sunday School teacher, mentor, counselor, and friend to many. She would feed your belly right along with your soul, as she led many to salvation in Christ. She never failed to have a Bible Verse and Godly counsel ready for those that would lend her their ears. As she prepared for Heaven she would often share her current favorite verse:
“The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me...“ Psalm 138:8 KJV
Grandma is surely finding her joy in this perfection she so fervently looked forward to, a perfection she has now been welcomed with as she has stepped into Heaven.
A viewing will be held Monday, April 11, 2022 at Sheridan Baptist Church, Sheridan, Oregon at 4:00 - 7:00 pm. A Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at Sheridan Baptist Church at 11:00 am. Private family committal to follow at the Green Crest Memorial Park.
Donations can be made to the Sheridan Baptist Church Children’s BLAST Program.
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