Bonita "Bonnie" Elzora Thomas

Bonita ("Bonnie") Elzora Thomas passed away peacefully at her home in Gold Canyon, AZ on Oct. 8, 2016. She was born in Lusk, WY on Dec. 16, 1929, the daughter of Menno C. and Mabel (Butler) Kaan. One of six children, Bonnie grew up on her father's cattle ranch. She graduated from Lusk High School in 1947 and received an associate degree from Colo. Women's College in 1949.

She met the love of her life, Ralph E. Thomas, at the Univ. of Wyo., and they were married in Lusk, WY on Dec. 18, 1949. Their first child, Mark E. Thomas was born in Nov. of 1950. Upon Ralph's graduation in 1952, the family moved to the Willow Glen Ranch south of Buffalo, WY, where they managed the ranch for 10 yrs. Their second child, Scott E. Thomas, was born in March of 1953. The family moved to Laramie, WY where Bonnie worked at the Univ. of Wyo. Athletic Dept. ticket office to help put Ralph through law school. After Ralph's law school graduation in 1965, the family moved to Lander, WY where Ralph practiced law and Bonnie worked as a secretary at the Nicholas and Thomas law firm. Bonnie was active as a volunteer in Rep. Party politics, and became an avid golfer. In 1974, Ralph and Bonnie moved to Cheyenne, WY, and Bonnie held secretarial and office mgr. jobs, mostly for McGladrey, Hansen, Dunn & Co., while Ralph served as Director of the Legislative Srv. Office of the Wyo. State Legislature.

Bonnie and Ralph retired and moved to Gold Canyon, AZ in 1996. They became active in the Mountainbrook Village community, made many friends, and golfed happily until their early eighties.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her siblings Jantine Warnock, Gordon Kaan, Laurence Kaan, and Cecil Kaan. Her sister, Shirley Wallace, survives her. She also is survived by her loving husband, Ralph; sons, Mark and Scott, and their wives Catherine and Elena; grandchildren Laurie Miller (Scott), Bryan Thomas, David Thomas, and Carolyn Thomas; and great-grandchildren Madeleine and Genevieve Miller. No formal service is planned. Donations in her memory may be made to Banner Health Foundation, with a designation for the Home Based Palliative Care Program, 2901 N. Central Ave., Suite 160, Phoenix, AZ 85012, 602-747-4483.

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