Bonnie Marise Femrite

STOUGHTON - Bonnie Marise Femrite, unexpectedly passed away early Sunday morning, April 3, 2011 at the Skaalen Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Stoughton. She had happily celebrated her 90th birthday with her family in early March.

Bonnie was born on March 5, 1921 in the Jefferson County township of Sumner to Edgerton residents Charles Wesley North and Bonnibel (Roberts, Slagg) North. She attended country school and was a proud ""Crimson Tide"" student at Edgerton High School.

She had fond memories growing up of her grandparents, Fred and Lillian (McCarthy) North, and the registered Jersey cows they raised on their farm (which is now Blaine Street in Edgerton). Over the years, as a farmer's wife or as a town-dweller, she had a garden filled with vegetables and beautiful flowers. She had a big heart and was a caring and nurturing role-model over the years for extended family and even strangers who quickly became friends. Bonnie's children were her self-professed greatest joy and accomplishment. We will remember her great singing voice but grandchildren mention her uncanny yodeling ability.

In 1939, she married Milo (Anderson) Lein and they lived with their four children on East Church Road by East Koshkonong Church near Rockdale and Cambridge. Their marriage ended after 32 years. Bonnie moved to Stoughton, met and married Alfred (Richard, Shiner) Femrite in 1973 - they were married 35 years. He was her sole caregiver as she coped with Parkinson's. In 2008, the Skaalen Home compassionately cared for her.

She is survived by her four children: Dennis (Sheila) Lein, Florence, SC; Sandra (Greg) Vike, St. Clairsville, OH; Duane (Pat) Lein, Briggsville, WI; Sonja Vike (best friend, Brian Phelps) Stoughton; 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; sister, Jean Schieldt, Edgerton; sisters-in-law, Helen North, Norma Jean North and Irene (Femrite) Boeing (all in Arizona); and Louise Femrite, Stoughton.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Richard (2008); her children's father, Milo Lein (1977); sisters, Muriel Helgestad and Janet Johnson; brothers Ronald and James North; brothers-in-law Art Johnson, Gordon Schieldt, Robert Femrite and Roger Femrite.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at Cress Funeral Home in Stoughton. Burial will follow in Highland Memory Gardens. Friends may greet the family from 9:30 am until the time of services on Saturday. The family requests that memorials may be made to the Stoughton Area Senior Center.

Mothers are like flowers ... They fill the world with beauty ... And the heart with love.