March 15, 1926 – February 18, 2022
Bonnie Seim Haynes, 95, of Meadow passed away on Friday, February 18, 2022 at the Western Horizons Care Center in Hettinger, ND.
Funeral services were held Saturday, March 5, 2022 at the Presbyterian Church in Bison with burial in Gallaway Cemetery at Meadow.
Bonnie Jean Foster was born on March 15, 1926, to Claude Smith and Velma (Bennett) Foster at Highmore. She attended school there and graduated from Highmore High School. The family moved 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. They lived on their ranch on Thunder Butte Creek, raising Hereford cattle, horses, and kids. Bonnie was an avid gardener and
Bonnie was an avid gardener and had a beautiful flower garden. She 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.
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.
Bonnie and her friend Margaret Lyon established and operated “Granny’s Cafe” in Faith in the early 1970s.
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. They married on August 8, 1983.
The couple lived on the ranch for a few years, then moved to Hot Springs. While living there, she worked at a western clothing store for a number of years. They eventually moved back to the ranch south of Meadow. Bill passed away on October 3, 2005. Family and faith were the most
Family and faith were the most important things in Bonnie’s life. She loved going to grandkids’ sporting events and attending birthday parties, showers, and weddings. Bonnie moved into an apartment
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 was preceded in death by her parents; 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, and Scott and Pam; 10 grandchildren,Kim (Mike) Colville, Rory (Kristy 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; sisters-in-law Vonnie Foster and Fern Lowe; brother-in-law Horace Seim; numerous nieces and nephews; stepchildren, 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; and daughter-in-laws Sharlyn Haynes and Janell Haynes.