Bonnie Ellen Hoernke, age 74, of Colby Wisconsin, entered her heavenly home Thursday, May 28, 2026 surrounded by her loving family at Marshfield Medical Center.

 

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, June 5, 2026 at Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford. Reverend Teri Hanson will be officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:00am until the time of service. The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford is entrusted with the arrangements. The family kindly requests that guests wear their best pink attire.

 

The daughter of Herbert and Virginia (Woodkey) Hederer, Bonnie was born on April 22, 1952 in Lacrosse, Wisconsin. She graduated from Colby High in 1970. In 1972 she was united in marriage to Gerald Baumann Sr. From that union they were blessed with three children, Daniella, Gerald Jr and Michelle. In 1994 she was united in marriage to Dale Hoernke. Bonnie continued her education at the University of Wisconsin Centers – Marshfield/Wood County where she obtained her associate’s degree in arts and science in 1992.

 

Bonnie’s life was defined by hard work, dedication and care for those around her. At just twelve years old, she began working alongside her father doing carpentry. She devoted herself to dairy farming, being a foster parent, then became a valued and dedicated employee of the Taylor County Housing Authority. Later in life, her love for children inspired one of her greatest accomplishments, opening her own daycare in Colby where she cared for many children in the community as well as all eight grandchildren during her career.

 

Bonnie was deeply patriotic, with enormous respect for those who served. With a strong and abiding love for her community she faithfully served for many years through the Jaycees, Girl Scouts, 4-H, and Colby Cheese Days, always willing to help wherever she was needed. Her gentle spirit reflected in her love for the color pink, ANTYHING chocolate, seasonal decorating, wind chimes, and admiration for Lily of the Valley, gardening and shenanigans “with the girls”.

 

Above all, Bonnie’s greatest love was her family, especially her cherished grandchildren and great grandchildren, who brought her deep joy and were truly her sunshine.

 

Bonnie is survived by her three children: Daniella (Brian) Schauer, Gerald (Carrie) Baumann Jr., and Michelle (Shawn) Bellendorf; nine grandchildren: Brett (Michaela Nowacki) Schauer, Brendan (Megan Mahl) Schauer, Hailey, Lucas, Lily and Ella Baumann, Kendra (Robin) Weiss, Riley Bellendorf and Anika Miller. She is further survived by three great-grandchildren; Peyton and Vivian Weiss and Bryer Leu, and one sister; Ellen Larson.

 

She is preceded in death by her grandparents: Elizabeth and Henry Hederer and Cecila Woodkey, her parents and sister Colleen Dayton.