Bonnie Mitchell, 86, of Dupree passed away February 24, 2023 at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls Her funeral service was held Monday, March 6, 2023 at the United Church of Christ in Dupree. Pastor Pauline Webb officiated with burial in the Dupree Cemetery.
Bonnie Lorraine Stapert was born on December 25, 1936 at Eagle Butte to Bernard and Mabel (Blattner) Stapert. The Stapert family lived at various places before settling on a farm northeast of Dupree, where Bonnie attended the Cloverleaf School. Bonnie and her sister Ruth boarded in Dupree during their high school days, working at the local café before graduating in 1956.
She was united in marriage to Roald Mitchell on June 27, 1956 at Sturgis. Five children were born to this union: Pam, Cindy, Bernie, Brenda, and Dianna. Bonnie spent her entire life on the ranch south of Dupree except for the last six years when she lived in Rapid City because of dialysis and health issues, having battled diabetes for over 40 years.
Bonnie was instrumental in helping to get telephone service to the neighborhood in the early 1970’s, making a trip to Pierre to meet with the PUC. She helped bring extra income to the ranch by going into the hog business, getting a new barn built and selling feeder pigs for several years.
She will be remembered for her delicious baked goods that she shared whenever any of the neighbors stopped
December 25, 1936 – February 24, 2023
in to visit; also making pies to be auctioned off at the church harvest festival each year. She was very proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and it always made her day when they stopped in to visit her.
Bonnie was a member of the Sew and So Extension Club; spent several years on the Dupree school board and was active in the United Church of Christ and the Sheep Growers Auxiliary.
Grateful for sharing her life are her children: Pam (Bill) Henderson of Dupree, Cindy (Casey) Weaver of Wall, Bernie (Deb) Mitchell of Dupree, Brenda (Doug) Johnson of Piedmont, and Dianna (Mike) Longbrake, Howes; 12 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bernard and Mabel Stapert; her husband, Roald Mitchell; two granddaughters, Jodie Henderson and Ellen Johnson; and siblings Russell, Dale, and Lloyd Stapert, and Ruth Coon.
(Pam Henderson’s address is PO Box 399, Dupree, SD 57623.)