LaVon “Bonnie A. Beyler (Anding)
Our beautiful mother has left us. After 96 years of living and loving, she died peacefully at St. Mary’s Hospital surrounded by her familyon January 7, 2016. Though her death was sudden and unexpected, she left us to celebrate her exceptional legacy.
Bonnie was born on April 10, 1919 in Highland Wisconsin, the daughter of Henry and Priscilla (Jacobson) Anding. At the age of 10, she moved with her family to Madison and subsequently graduated from Central High School. For five years following high school, she worked as a dental assistant in the downtown offices of Dr. Johnson and Dr. Peetz. On August 21, 1943, she married John Beyler and together they raised 6 children on 111 S. Bassett St. in the old 4th ward, moving to the new suburb of Orchard Ridge, in 1958. Besides her work as mother of six children, she thrived as a host of gatherings with family and friends and is remembered for her warm hospitality and wonderful meals. She also enjoyed golfing, rosemaling, knitting, bridge, and, in later years, her warm water exercise classes (aka “swim team”) at UW health. Bonnie was a founding member of St. Maria Goretti Church where she was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society and participated in serving many funeral meals. Her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who will always remember her for her unconditional love, compassion, humor, cookies, home canned peaches, roasts, and mashed potatoes. Her legacy of consistent positivity has left a tremendous impact on each of their lives.
Bonnie is survived by her six children: sons, John (Cindy) Beyler; Jim (Susan) Beyler; and Joe (Kris Koenen) Beyler all of Madison and her daughters, Jean (Jim) Brager of Green Bay; Jill (David) Odegard and Jane (Tim) Murphy of Madison; as well as 16 grandchildren: John (Amy) Beyler and Bob (Julie Wilmot) Beyler of Madison and their mother Bonnie (Gail) Quinn of Westfield, WI; Chris Coyier of Milwaukee; Jennifer (Tom) Horejsi, Katie (Steve) Moritz and Danny (Jamie) Beyler of Madison; Colleen Beyler of Austin, Texas; Nick (Amy) Beyler of Arlington, Virginia; Jack Beyler of Milwaukee; Laura (Andy) Bloomquist of Maple Grove, Minnesota; Kristi Brager of Iowa City, Iowa; Katlyn (Brett) Svor of Tempe, Arizona; Briana (Jake Lau) Odegard of Eau Claire, WI; Lydia Odegard and Jessica Murphy of Madison; and Brian Murphy of Minneapolis; and last but not least 11 precious great-grandchildren: McKenzie, Ava and Leo Beyler; Genevieve Horejsi; Emma, Annabel and Cooper Moritz; James and Abigail Beyler; Evelyn and Levi Bloomquist; and the soon-to-be Baby Svor. She is also survived by her dearest cousin Lea Nordness; Lea’s son Michael (Becky), and their children, Cole, Payton and Emma all of Watertown; and her sister-in-law Jean Carberry of Madison. Bonnie was “Aunt Bonnie” to many nieces and nephews, each of which she held close to her heart.
Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents; husband John in 1988; sister Lucille (Mike) Drozd; sister in-law Mary (Lars) Flataker; and brother-in-law Danny (Trisha) Beyler.
Our family is forever grateful for the people who made Mom’s later years so joyous. During her years living in her Whitcomb Square apartment, she enjoyed a warm group of friends that shared monthly lunch outings and Thursday evening cocktail hour, not to mention the lively rants espousing their staunch democratic ideals. After gracefully accepting the need to move to Coventry Village, Bonnie picked up where she had left off and found her niche in the warm and supportive community there. Her day revolved around dinner time — always “dressing” for the dining room where she met with a regular group of buddies that shared her love of humor and fellowship around the dinner table. And lastly we want to acknowledge the love and friendship of Jan Rhodes, Bonnie’s “partner in crime”. They traveled many miles together in search of the next great meal or adventure, but never missed Saturday night church.
Lastly, a few words embracing Bonnie’s ideals: “Always remember the underdog!”
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at ST. MARIA GORETTI CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5313 Flad Avenue, Madison with Rev. Mike Burke presiding. A visitation will be held at the church prior to mass at 10:00 am and a luncheon will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Agrace HospiceCare, Inc. 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg, WI 53711.
