Agnes S. Bonnater

Agnes S. Bonnater
August 12, 1922 - June 01, 2013
North English, Iowa
Funeral Service: 1:30 PM June 08, 2013 at Powell Funeral Home & Cremation Service, North English, IA
Interment: June 08, 2013 at North English Cemetery, North English, IA
Agnes Sophie (Mouchka) Bonnater passed from this world peacefully with her daughter at her side on June 1, 2013. She was born on August 17, 1922 to Joseph and Sophie (Ludvicek) Mouchka near Swisher, Iowa. Learning both English and her family's native tongue (Bohemian), she was educated in rural one-room schools through eighth grade. After that, she chose, or felt it necessary, to work as a family helper, babysitter, housekeeper, cook, farm chore-person, elder care, to a variety of families until her retirement in 2001. Although she did not continue her education, she was very proud of her daughter and her two grandchildren in their pursuit of education in high school and college. In 1953 she met Jim Bonnater and they were married on April 2, 1954. She became a homemaker and kept busy caring for her family, which included daughter Diann Lynn, born in 1955. She gardened, cooked, and tended many pets and farm animals. She was an avid fisherman, mushroom hunter, and raised rabbits, chickens, and geese, and cared for a variety of pets. In 1972, the family moved into North English, where Agnes cared for her mother-in-law, in a sense continuing her career in elder care. She enjoyed caring for others, crafts and needlework, cooking, and in later years watching birds and animals, playing bingo, games, and puzzles, and collecting stuffed animals. As an avid gardener, she appreciated going outdoors and the beauty of flowers, the pond, and the surrounding area of Lanark and Mt. Carroll. She is survived by her daughter Diann (Jerry) Cassens of Lanark, IL, a granddaughter August Cassens of Urbana, IL, and a grandson Calvin Cassens of Lanark, IL. She is also survived by a brother Alvin Mouchka of Marengo, IA and a sister Rose Marie Kasparek of Solon, IA, and numerous neices and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband James Lee Bonnater in February of 1976, her parents Joseph and Sophie Mouchka, and her parents-in-law CW (Bill) and Clara Bonnater. Also preceding her in death were four brothers: Ben, Elmer, Franklin, and Laverne Mouchka, and three sisters: Irene Retting, Adeline Leishenring, and Mable Grimm. She was a 75 year member of the Western Fraternal Life Association (formerly known as ZCBJ), a member of the first Christian Church of North English, IA, the Christian Women's Fellowship, and the Lucky Day Club. After moving to Lanark, Illinois in 2001, she became a member of the Lanark United Methodist Church. Living in the Lanark area for over eleven years, she resided the past four and a half years at the Good Samaritan Society in Mount Carroll, IL. Memorials may be directed to the Good Samaritan Society- Mt. Carroll or the Lanark United Methodist Church. A private family service will be held at 1:30 on Saturday, June 8 at the Powell Funeral Home in North English, Iowa. Burial will be at the North English Cemetery. Assisting the family in Mt. Carroll is Law Jones Funeral Home. Online condolences at http://lawjonesfuneralhome.com and Powell Funeral Home in North English. Online condolences at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.