Bonnie Lou McClaskey, 82, of Tomah, WI, Formerly of Rockford, IL, passed into glory on March 9, 2026.
Born September 7, 1943, to Sophronia and Gilbert Gerke, Ridgeville, WI. She was number 9 of 10 children and attended school in Cataract, WI.
Bonnie married the love of her life, Maurice McClaskey, on August 20, 1960, and were blessed with 2 children, Shellie and Terri. They moved into their forever home at 3239 Glenwood and raised their girls.
Her family purchased a campground and ran it for several years. Bonnie retired after 23 years of service from Boylan Catholic School.
In 2021, she moved to Tomah, WI, to be near her sisters. She would tell us stories of how they had to walk to school in the freezing cold. Recently we went on a journey down memory lane. She and her sisters were able to see their old school and home where they grew up. She said, “It was not the same as it was back then!”
Bonnie loved spending time with her sisters, going on outings and planting beautiful flowers around her property. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Bonnie is survived by a daughter, Shellie Smith (Butch); 4 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; son-in-law, Curt Hemphill; brother, Donald Gerke, sisters, Jean Kenney and Rose Anderson along with many nieces and nephews.
Bonnie was proceeded in death by her husband, Maurice McClaskey; daughter, Terri Lynn (McClaskey) Hemphill; mother, Sophronia (Johnson) Gerke; father, Gilbert Gerke; brothers, Gaylord, Edward, David (Jimmy) and Delbert; sisters, Charlene (Gerke) Miller and Joyce (Gerke) Bell.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 1:00 P.M. at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home. Family and friends are invited for a time of visitation from 11:00 AM until the start of the service. Pastor Bruce Milleman will officiate. Burial will be held at Oak Grove Cemetery. Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be given at http://www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com
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