Bonnie Esbaum

Bonnie Esbaum

Wheatland

Bonnie Esbaum, 89, of Wheatland, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022, at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Wheatland with Pastor Tessa Cavey officiating. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until service time at the church. Burial will follow in St. Paul’s Cemetery.

Bonnie was born Nov. 1, 1932, to Silvin and Mathilda (Schmidt) Klahn at home near Wheatland. She was married to Everett Esbaum on Aug. 12, 1951, at Zion United Church of Christ in Lowden. They had celebrated 67 years together before his passing on Oct. 21, 2018. They had farmed until 1976 in Clinton County, moving to Wheatland in November of 1975.

Bonnie is survived by daughter Gail (Donovon) Riedesel of Tomah, Wis.; sons Dan (Becky) of Eldridge, Randy (Debbie) of Cedar Rapids and Steve (Lori) of Olin; 13 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and two stepgreat-great-grandsons.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Terry; and brother ,Richard Klahn.

Bonnie was baptized and confirmed at Zion UCC in Lowden and attended school in Clinton County, graduating from Wheatland High School in 1950. She had worked in the Wheatland school system driving a school bus for eight years and working in the food service for 22 years, many years as a manager. She helped design the new kitchen at the high school which she really enjoyed working in, always enjoying the students and staff. Bonnie also loved traveling and playing cards with her friends and family.

She dearly loved her family and enjoyed time with her grandchildren, spoiling them all with her chocolate chip cookies.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Camp Courageous.

Chapman Funeral Home has Bonnie and her family in their care. Memories and condolences may be left at www.chapmanfh.com.