Bonnie Jean “Bonje” Angst Gilbert was the third of eight children born to the union of Rosa Estella Fairleigh-Mays-Angst-Breech and Oliver Nathan Angst Sr., on August 23, 1938. She was baptized into Christ on October 17, 1951 and graduated from Phillipsburg High School in 1957.
She spent several years living in Kansas City and Washington, DC, working a variety of interesting jobs for the federal government. On May 29, 1965, after having returned to mid-Missouri and while working at Ft. Leonard Wood, Bonnie married David LeRoy Gilbert. She made a home as an Army wife in towns throughout Oklahoma, Missouri, and three tours of duty in Germany, for him and their two daughters, Coleen (Scott) Crunk (b. 1966) and Kimberly Gilbert (b. 1970). Bonnie worked for civil service and lived independently from 1982-1998, when she retired. She spent more than 20 years enjoying retirement activities including gardening (she had the most beautiful irises, hydrangeas, and azaleas!), providing transportation for friends to medical appointments (she had an affinity for the elderly), volunteering at Southern Heights Christian Church, and volksmarching across the country with lifelong friends. Her pride and joy was time spent with her grandchildren: Bailey Rosa Grace (b. 1990), Madison (b. 1993) and Skyler (b. 1996) Gilbert-Allen, and Grayson Gilbert (b. 2007). She entered Northridge/The Arbors nursing home in May, 2020, during the COVID pandemic, where she lived until her passing from complications of dementia on September 20, 2023.
Bonje is survived by her children and grandchildren, 2 sisters, 3 brothers, and numerous nieces and nephews. She had a full life and lived it the way she wanted. She was a force to be reckoned with! In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Paws and Claws in Lebanon, Mo. A graveside service will be held October 7, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Lonesome Hill Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to attend.
Arrangements are under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home South of Springfield.
