Obituary: Bonnie M. Clift

Bonnie M. Clift, 77, of Bear Valley, WI passed away August 2, 2020 at Our House Memory Care Center in Reedsburg, WI.  Bonnie was born in Richland County on September 25, 1942 to Walter and Doris Young.

She graduated from Ithaca High School in 1960 and from Richland County Teacher’s College in 1964. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from UW Whitewater. Bonnie taught school at Washington Caldwell Elementary in Waterford, WI until her retirement.

Bonnie married Everette (Smokey) Clift in July 1964 at the Little Brown Church. They lived in the Burlington, WI area until their retirement when they moved to Sextonville, WI and later built a new home on the Young Family Farm near Bear Valley.  Bonnie continued to do substitute teaching in the area schools for several years after her retirement.

Bonnie loved the outdoors, building birdhouses, watching birds, gardening and flowers. She was an avid reader.  She was a member of the Badger Steam and Gas Engine Club, Hill Country Classic Tractor Club, Richland County Homemakers, Retired Teachers Organization and was an active 4H leader. She served on the Bear Valley Cemetery Association Board and was instrumental in the renovation plans for the Little Brown Church, Bear Valley. She was a volunteer for Red Cross blood drives, Richland Center High School Get Real Day, and other organizations.  Her greatest joy was working with children.  She enjoyed reading books to children in the schools as one of her Homemaker’s Club activities.

Bonnie will be remembered for being “the pie lady” at the Badger Steam and Gas Show and the Wheels of Time Show where she sold hundreds of pieces of pies to workers and attendees each year. Her specialty was raisin pie which was requested by many people.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her husband Everette (Smokey) Clift in July, 2006; parents, Walter and Doris Young, Bear Valley; her father in law and mother in-law, Arnie and Ada Clift of Viola, WI; brother-in-law Kevin Gulsrud, Sextonville and sister-in-law Jenny Young, Bear Valley.

Bonnie is survived by her sisters, Becky (Wayne) Blinston, LaValle, Rita Young Gulsrud, Sextonville, brothers, Duane Young, Bear Valley and Jack (Connie) Young, Spring Green, many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, other relatives and friends.

A private family service and burial will be held at Little Brown Church. Memorials of remembrance would be appreciated for the Little Brown Church, Bear Valley or The Bear Valley Cemetery Association. Mail to Rita Young Gulsrud, PO Box 65, Sextonville, WI 53584. The Pratt Funeral and Cremation Service is assisting the family with their arrangements.

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