Bonnie Seim Haynes
Bonnie Seim Haynes, age 95 of Meadow, SD; passed away on Friday, February 18, 2022 at the Western Horizon's Care Center in Hettinger, ND.
The Funeral Service for Bonnie will be held 11:00am MT Saturday, March 5, 2022, at the Presbyterian Church in Bison with burial in Gallaway Cemetery at Meadow. Rev. Tera Kossow and Rev. Florence Hoff will officiate. The funeral service will be livestreamed and can be viewed by clicking the link “Click Here to View the Funeral for Bonnie” at the top of Bonnie’s obituary.
Bonnie Jean Foster was born on March 15, 1926, to Claude Smith and Velma (Bennett) Foster at Highmore, SD. She attended school there and graduated from Highmore High School. The family moved from Highmore to Thunder Butte Creek in Perkins County in 1943. Bonnie met Shelby Bruce Seim while he worked on the Dick Foster ranch. She said, "I'm going to marry him!" But World War II postponed their plans. While Shelby served in the Pacific Theatre during the war, Bonnie served as a Cadet Nurse, receiving training and working in Bismarck, ND. On September 14, 1946, Shelby and Bonnie married at her family's home in Meadow, SD. They lived on their ranch on Thunder Butte Creek, raising Hereford cattle, horses, and kids. Five boys were born in nine years to this union--Rodnee, Tim, Todd, Scott, and Gregg. She was a busy Mom!
Bonnie was an avid gardener, raising bushels of tomatoes and other produce. She always had a beautiful flower garden of moss roses and poppies, especially decorating her yard with pots of her favorite red geraniums. Bonnie enjoyed crocheting and writing poems that celebrated her love of life on the ranch. She was a member of the Meadow and Bison Presbyterian Churches, serving on the church council and the Meadow Galloway Cemetery Board. Bonnie was also a Sagebrush Rustlers Community Club member for many years, celebrating many gatherings with the Thunder Butte Creek families. On September 17, 1948, Bonnie was initiated into the Fairview Chapter 166 of Eastern Star at Bison. She held all offices and was Worthy Matron of Fairview Chapter. In 1973, she served as Grand Representative of Oklahoma in South Dakota. Bonnie received her 50-year membership pin in 1998.
Never one to fear a challenge, Bonnie and her friend Margaret Lyon established and operated "Granny's Cafe" in Faith in the early 1970s, providing additional support to their family ranches during those tough times. It was a great gathering place offering 10-cent a cup coffee and great homestyle meals. The grandkids especially loved the corndogs and helping wash dishes!
Shelby passed away on June 30, 1980. Bonnie continued living on the ranch and driving to Faith, working at the cafe. It was there that she met Bill Haynes from Martin, SD. They married on August 8, 1983. Bill was the father to ten children, the best step-kids a step-Mom could ask for! Bonnie loved being a part of this large family and was quick to know the names and birthdays of the kids, spouses, and grandkids. The couple lived on the ranch for a few years, then moved to Hot Springs, SD. While living there, she worked at a western clothing store for a number of years, sharing her love of clothes and jewelry with customers and family. They eventually moved back to the ranch south of Meadow. Bill's family was always so supportive and protective of Bonnie and her family, and we appreciate them being a big part of our lives. Bill passed away on October 3, 2005.
Family and faith were the most important things in Bonnie's life. She loved nothing more than to have everyone home enjoying conversation and sharing a meal together. Christmas Eve was "her" holiday, and we all have wonderful memories of all those Christmas Eves around the fireplace! Bonnie loved going to grandkids' sporting events – be it football, wrestling, basketball, or rodeo – and attending birthday parties, showers, and weddings.
Bonnie moved into an apartment at Homestead Heights in January 2017. Thanks to Laura Holmes' dedicated care, Bonnie was able to live there until she moved into the Western Horizons Nursing Home in January 2021. She passed away on February 18, 2022.
She was preceded in death by: her parents Claude and Velma; husbands Shelby and Bill; sons Todd and Gregg; brothers Don, Bob, and Randy; sisters-in-law Lois and Betty; special friend Don McKinstry, Sr.; and stepsons Veryl, Doug, and Lyle Haynes.
Survivors include: her sons and daughters-in-law--Rod and Cheryl, Tim and JoAnne, Scott and Pam; 10 grandchildren--Kim (Mike) Colville, Rory (Kristi Cox) Seim, Kelly (Danny) LaDue, Justin (Joanna) Seim, Tanya (Casey) Candee, Amy (Sonny) Sandquist, Abbey (Dan) Richards, Jed (Tally) Seim, Sami (Brandon) Peil, and Sunshine Claymore; 20 great-grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren; sister-in-law Vonnie Foster; numerous nieces and nephews, step-children--Lynette and Darrel Batie, Audrey Brooks, Kathleen and Merlon Bochman, Don and Jolene Haynes, Sarah and Robert Hopkins, Loren and Anna Haynes, Doreen and Randy Harter; daughters-in-law--Sharlyn Haynes and Janell Haynes; and numerous grandkids, great, and great-great grandchildren.
Condolences may be sent through our website and the livestream of the funeral viewed at www.evansonjensenfuneralhome.com.
