Eunice Marie Bonniksen's Obituary
Eunice Marie Howe was born in Brownsville, Oregon on July 7, 1922 to Jessie Helen (Powell) Howe and George B. Howe. She was a loving sister to her two younger brothers, Jim and Ed. She attended elementary school in Klamath Falls, Oregon and Cedarville, California and then moved to Coquille, Oregon, where she graduated from Coquille High School in 1940. She went on to attend Oregon State College in Corvallis, where she was a member of Alpha Xi Delta sorority.Working as a dental assistant in Coquille, she met, fell in love with and married Leslie Gene Bonniksen in December, 1943. Gene later became a dentist and, together, they set up practice in Oregon City. Eunice occasionally assisted Gene in the office throughout the years. Gene died in 1991 at the age of 70. They had a wonderful marriage for 48 years.Eunice's passion in life was her family. Her children have memories of coming home from school to see their mom ironing, of stepping onto freshly waxed and polished floors, of smelling cookies in the oven, with dinner soon to be on the table. She was especially talented at flower arranging and sewing. She lovingly created every single formal for Patty's events during high school and college. Eunice took an active role in the community, serving in various leadership roles such as PTA president, Cub Scout den mother, the League of Women Voters, Oregon City Women's Club, Charbonneau Ladies Association and enjoyed being a member of PEO Sisterhood Chapter P until she passed away.Eunice was preceded in death by her husband, Gene, and leaves behind her children, Rick (Lise) of Hillerod, Denmark, Bill (Gail) of Salem, Oregon and Patty Bergren (Gary) of Brush Prairie, Washington, along with 6 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren, with one more on the way in September. Eunice is also survived by her sister-in-law Helen Howe, along with many nieces and nephews.Eunice's children wish to thank Tatiana Lapadus for her loving care over the past several years. A graveside service was held on Monday, June 25th at 10:30 a.m. at Mt. View Cemetery in Oregon City. Memorial donations may be made in Eunice's name to: PEO Sisterhood Oregon Charitable Trust at 4611 SE Lacour Court, Portland, Oregon 97267.
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