Bonnie Sue Rufenacht

Bonnie Sue Rufenacht

November 19, 1941 – March 4, 2024

Bonnie Sue Rufenacht, 82, of La Junta, Colorado, passed away peacefully Monday, March 4, 2024, in La Junta, with her daughter Kim at her side. She was born Wednesday, November 19, 1941, in Elkhart, Indiana to Ernest & Florence (Robison) Chokey.

It was a cold, blustery day in Elkhart, Indiana when Bonnita Sue Chokey was born to Florence and Ernest Chokey. She was welcomed by siblings, Betty 20, Gene 18 and Robert 16. Her birth was nearly 3 weeks before the bombing of Pearl Harbor, at a time when doctors charged twenty-five dollars for delivering babies and the hospital stay was paid for with a twenty-five-dollar check. Betty was working and Gene and Robert were drafted to military service upon graduation. This was the setting where Bonnie became a big sister to Janice at the age of four and a half. She was loved and nurtured in this family who lived by the "Golden Rule" love others as you love yourself. Bonnie's mother instilled the idea of loving others more than yourself. Few people could be more honest and worthy of trust than she was throughout her life. She was described as a shy, petite lady into her 30's, but grew into a self-assured women who expressed her feelings in a thoughtful manner. You knew where Bonnie was standing on issues, At the same time you knew you were loved.

Bonnie became a nurturing mother to Kimberly Dawn, Mark Todd and Matthew Jon. She always made her children feel they were loved. She loved reading to her children and was always a cheerleader for children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren who called her Nana and GiGi. At a resent soccer game with her grandson Wyatt, she was cheering him on even kicking in the wrong direction.

Bonnie attended a workshop for adult singles, where she met Dwayne Rufenacht. They dated by telephone for a few months, before realizing they were going broke paying for telephone bills and loved each as well, so decided to marry. Both Bonnie and Dwayne became better people because of the relationship. Bonnie loved her entire family and remembered each individual in her heart and through prayer. While struggling with health issues, many of her secret prayers became audible. She wanted to live each day to the fullest. She also wanted to go home to be in God's plan.

Bonnie had a passion for books and reading. Yearly, she made sure everyone at church knew about her MCC school kits. Many pencils and tablets found their way to someone pursuing education. Bonnie was a comforter knotter. She enjoyed the warmth of social interaction, as well as the warmth that comforters can provide on a cold night.

Retirement provided a chance to work in food banks and schools in the Tuscon area as a volunteer. Her generous and loving spirit was who she was. Bonnie helped many children develop skills and try new tasks. She found courage to develop her own skills along with way.

Bonnie is survived by her husband, Dwayne Rufenacht of the La Junta home; children, Kim (Marc) Kahan of Pasadena, MD; Mark Massanari of Avon, CO; Matt (Crystall) Rufenacht of Wellington, CO; grandchildren, Jacob (Liz) Kahan; Joshua (Christy) Kahan; Wyatt Rufenacht; and Blake Rufenacht; great-grandchildren, Gabe & Abby Kahan; Leo & Nolan Kahan; sister, Janice Evers of Waukarusa, IN; numerous nieces & nephews also survive. She is preceded in death by her parents; grandson, Corey Borg Massanari; and siblings, Betty Cripe, Gene Chokey, & Robert Chokey.

Graveside service will be held Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at the Fairview Cemetery in La Junta, CO with Pastor Derrick Hutchison of Emmanuel Mennonite Church officiating. Memorial Service will follow at 2:00 p.m., at Emmanuel Mennonite Church in La Junta, CO.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made in Bonnie’s name to Arkansas Valley Hospice, www.arkvalleyhospice.org or to Mennonite Central Committee School Kits at www.mcc.org.

Online condolences may be made at www.PeacockFH.com. Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.