Bonnie Koethe 08/27/2025

Bonnie Lee Koethe, age 81, passed away Wednesday, August 27, 2025.

Bonnie was born in Hugo, MN on March 4th, 1944 to Oscar and Myrtle Murphy. She was the 8th child of nine children. Bonnie learned to be headstrong at a young age and was very close to her older siblings whom she relied on through her life. Bonnie was 16 when she married her husband, Richard. They were married for 25 years and had 5 children, Debbie, Richard Jr., Gary, Kevin, and James. Bonnie was always a very welcoming Mom in the neighborhood and her children’s friends were always over. Having four sons there was never a dull moment and they kept her on her toes. They cherished her dearly. She loved entertaining and cooking for company. She was a great baker and taught this skill to her daughter and granddaughters. Bonnie was of short stature but made up for it with her witty comebacks and sassy personality. People loved her laugh and sense of humor. She was self sufficient and a proud, strong, woman. She instilled these values deeply in her daughter and granddaughters. She was very proud of her Irish heritage and always made sure to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Bonnie enjoyed feeding the hummingbirds and orioles. She loved vibrant flowers, her favorite were yellow roses. She had a love for music and dancing. She also enjoyed trying her luck at the casinos. You could often find Bonnie basking in the sunshine, playing games with her kids and grandkids, doing puzzles, or spending time with her canary, dog Toby, who she loved dearly and her cat Charlie. She never turned down a good hot fudge sundae, chicken strips from Culver’s, homemade fudge, lemon meringue pie, and anything sweet, really. More than anything though, she loved her family. Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren meant the world to her. Bonnie joined our heavenly Father on August 27, 2025 surrounded by her family in prayer. Bonnie will be dearly missed by many. She will live on in her family’s hearts forever. Her light will continue to shine in memories shared. When you see a hummingbird or Oriole, please remember her.

Bonnie is survived by her children, Debbie (Larry) Kobs, Richard (Monica) Koethe, Gary (Grace) Koethe, Kevin Koethe, James (Mindi) Koethe; grandchildren, Brittany (Greg), Kristi (Chris), Christoper (Kristina), Andy, Matthew, Amanda, Amber (Mitch), Tony, Brandon, Dylan (Kayla), Aeces, Aries, Devin (Alisha), Breanna, Brooke, Josh and Kyle; several great grandchildren; sister, Kathleen Kneath; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded by parents, Oscar and Myrtle Murphy; siblings, Ella (Midge), Owen (Chuck), Lawrence (Johnny), Edna, Loretta (Babe), Patrick and Esther.

The family would like to express deep love and gratitude to the staff at St. Croix Health and Rehab Center who helped care for Bonnie the last few years of her life.

A memorial service for Bonnie was held on Monday, September 8, 2025, at 11AM at Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services (728 S Knowles Ave) New Richmond, Wisconsin, with visitation starting at 10AM.  Interment is in Little Falls Lutheran Cemetery, Alden, Wisconsin.  Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.

Click here to watch a recording of Bonnie’s service.