Bonita Marilyn Romano, age 69 of Baldwin, passed away on December 30, 2016 at Christian Community Home in Hudson.

Bonita was born in Frederic, WI on February 23, 1947 to parents, Richard and Marcella (Boe) Paulsen. She was raised by her beloved guardian Florence Magnuson, her father’s cousin, and graduated from Frederic High School in 1965. Bonita was blessed with two children, Tim and Jennifer. She enjoyed being a full time mom, but also worked as a traffic manager for a trucking company and in promotional sales.

Bonita loved gardening and had a backyard full of the colorful and exotic flowers that she grew. She was also extremely crafty. Bonita enjoyed working at her sewing machine and creating beautiful mosaics balls and stepping stones out of stained glass for her garden. Her favorite creation was a bird sculpture she constructed from copper, rebar, and stained glass that she called “Lester.”

Bonita will remain in the hearts of her children, Tim (Jasmine) Furst, and Jennifer Simmons (Scott Rock); grandchildren, Cassidy Simmons (Nick McConnell), and Tristan Simmons; fur grandchildren, Teddy Bear and Jazmine; sister, Sherry Gjonnes; and other extended relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her guardian, Florence Magnuson, her parents, Richard and Marcella Paulsen; brother, Paul Paulsen; and brother-in-law, Gary Gjonnes.

A memorial gathering of family and friends will be held from 2:00-5:00 p.m. on Thursday January 5, 2017 at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home, 1010 Newton St., Baldwin.

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