Bonnie Eggleston

Wanda “Bonnie” Eggleston age 94 of Oconto, NE passed away August 6, 2025, at her home in Oconto, NE.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, August 11, 2025, at 10:30 AM at the Oconto Community Center in Oconto. Burial will follow in the Oconto Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Family for future designation. A visitation and time to greet the family will be held on Sunday, August 10th, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Oconto Community Center in Oconto. Govier Brothers Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Online words of remembrance and condolences may be left at www.govierbrothers.com

Wanda Marie Eggleston was born one mile east of Oconto, on March 3, 1931, to Clifford Alvin and Leota Lucille (Flint) Martin. She was the 5th of 10 children. At an early age, she was nicknamed “Bonnie” by a family friend, and it has stayed with her all her life. She moved to the Sumner area in 1936. In 1937, Bonnie started school south of Sumner at Bacon Country School. In 1938, the family moved to a farm five miles northwest of Eddyville. Bonnie then attended school at Lomax District 65, where she graduated from the 8th grade in May of 1945. In the fall, she enrolled in Oconto High School and graduated as Salutatorian in 1949. During high school she was a cheerleader for the “Tigers” for three years, and a class officer all four years. Bonnie always loved school. She had several favorite teachers, including Mrs. McDermott and Emmett Gannon. After graduation, Bonnie and her sister Beulah attended college in Kearney for the summer. After college, Bonnie taught south of Oconto at District 217 for two years.

Bonnie married her high school sweetheart, Donald Ray Eggleston, on August 6, 1950, at the EUB Church in Oconto. To this union, four sons were born: Richard Ray in 1951, Rodger Alvin in 1957, Russell Luke in 1961, and Robin Paul in 1969.

Don and Bonnie lived with Clifford and Leota until 1951, when Don worked for Scoville Service Station. In 1954, the couple moved to the Brown Ranch. In August of 1954, they moved to the Nick Geiger Farm for seven years. Then moving back to Oconto on the Richards place, northwest of Lomax. Don farmed for one year at the Richards' place. Then they moved to the Eggleston home place on Highway 40. After a few years, they moved to the Daily place.

The couple moved to Arthur, for a few years. Then back to Oconto. Then back to Arthur in 1985, to work on a ranch. After Robin graduated from Arthur County High School in 1987, the couple moved back to Oconto. They bought a home in town, so we became “City Folk” for the rest of our lives.

In Oconto, September 1987, they purchased the “Blue Jean Café”. Bonnie owned or worked for the café for over 15 years before retiring in 2003. After Don and Bonnie retired, the couple lived in different homes in Oconto, before settling down at her current location. She enjoyed traveling and visiting with her kids and grandkids. Her favorite hobby was enjoying her flowers.

Bonnie was preceded by parents Clifford, Sr, and Leota Martin, husband Don, son Rodger, grandson Travis, great-great granddaughter Eden August Eggleston, brothers & sisters-in-law Clifford, Jr and Pearl Martin, sisters & brothers-in-law Violet and Keith Eggleston, Beulah and Kenneth Eggleston, Ruth and Sid Magoon, Virginia and Virgel Coryell, and special friend Melvin Achterberg.

Bonnie is survived by three sons Richard (Linnea) Eggleston, Russell (Sonya) Eggleston, and Robin (Andrea) Eggleston, sisters Darlene (Verlouis) Forster, brother Roger (Sharon) Martin, a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.