Ronald L. Bonnett

Ronald L. Bonnett, 78, of Rosendale, died Friday, February 12, 2016 at Hospice Home of Hope after a brief two day stay. Ronald was born September 24, 1937 in Fond du Lac to parents Laverne A. and Margaret A. (Koentop) Bonnett. He was educated at Bell School, a one room schoolhouse on Bell School Road about a quarter of a mile from his childhood home, before graduating from Rosendale High School in 1955. On New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1955 Ronnie married Beverly M. Soravia in a candlelight service at the Methodist church in Rosendale. They celebrated 60 years of marriage on December 31, 2016, and reminisced about how relatives at their wedding said it would never last.



Ron was a hardworking man who retired in 2012 after working as the maintenance man for the Township of Springvale for many years. Ron enjoyed and spent many late night and early morning hours plowing snow for the Township and always did his best to ensure people were able to get to and from home safely. Prior to that, he was self-employed for 15 years as a mechanic, working from his garage at home. Other employment included working for Tommy Smith, Green Giant in Rosendale and Ripon, Giddings and Lewis and Galloway West in Fond du Lac, and driving tow truck.



Ron enjoyed cutting and stockpiling firewood, a renewable energy source, for the wood burning stove he installed and used at home. He planted five plus acres of popple and other trees that he harvested for firewood as well. Ron also enjoyed campfires in the backyard, camping with his family and friends, fishing, driving tractor, mowing lawn, sitting on the deck enjoying the morning sun or evening breeze, tipping a few at Woodhull with Harv and Dot, fixing things, fill-it-in and crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, and reading.



Ron was Mr. Fix It who could fix or build just about anything. In 1966 he designed and built a home where he and Bev raised their five children, and where he resided until his death. In addition to building the home, he built and upholstered furniture for it, and through the years made many wooden toys for his children. They most especially enjoyed the rocking elephant, wooden stilts, and doll cradles he built for the girls. He used designs he read about in DIY magazines and/or created in his head. Ron was a jack of all trades and master of many. His skills included mechanic, plumber, electrician, welder, carpenter, design engineer, and many more; many of which he taught and passed on to his children and co-workers.

As much as his family misses him already, we take comfort in believing he's in Heaven where he can rest and be at peace now. Before he went to Hospice, he was talking with his wife about all the people he'll meet again after death. We hope they're having a wonderful time!



Ron is survived by his wife; his five children, Cindy Bonnett and Deb Waggener both of Fond du Lac, Rick (Denise) Bonnett and Mike Bonnett both of Rosendale, and Beth (Steve) Voskuil of Waupun. Ron is further survived by five grandchildren, David (Heather) Waggener, Brittney (Cory) Zickert, Brenden Bonnett, and Katie and Nick (Jana) Voskuil; six great grandchildren, Harper Wurtz and Greyson Bonnett, Jaylyn and Lauryn Waggener, and Pierson and Quinnley Zickert; his sister, Vivian Starr of Oak Brook IL; his brother, Wes Bonnett of Fond du Lac; and many other family and friends. Ron is loved very much and will be greatly missed. We’ll talk of him often and keep his memory alive for generations to come.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Roy Waggener Jr.; and sister-in-law, Sandy Bonnett.



Private family services and cremation have taken place.



The family extends a special thank you to the staff at Hospice Home of Hope for their care and compassion given to Ron and his family.



“If I have taught anyone something new, and they remember me because of it, I will have lived a good life.” Ronald L. Bonnett



Additional information and guest book may be found at www.ueckerwitt.com.