Bonnater, Agnes Sophie (Mouchka)

Agnes Sophie (Mouchka) Bonnater passed from this world peacefully with her daughter at her side on June 1, 2013.

She was born Aug. 17, 1922, to Joseph and Sophie (Ludvicek) Mouchka near Swisher, Iowa. Learning both English and her family's native tongue (Bohemian), she was educated in rural one-room schools through eighth grade. After that, she chose, or felt it necessary, to work as a family helper, baby sitter, housekeeper, cook, farm chore-person, elder care, to a variety of families until her retirement in 2001. Although she did not continue her education, she was very proud of her daughter and her two grandchildren in their pursuit of education in high school and college.

In 1953, she met Jim Bonnater and they were married on April 2, 1954. She became a homemaker and kept busy caring for her family, which included daughter, Diann Lynn, born in 1955. She gardened, cooked, and tended many pets and farm animals. She was an avid fisherman, mushroom hunter, and raised rabbits, chickens, and geese, and cared for a variety of pets. In 1972, the family moved into North English, where Agnes cared for her mother-in-law, in a sense continuing her career in elder care.

She enjoyed caring for others, crafts and needlework, cooking, and in later years watching birds and animals, playing bingo, games, and puzzles, and collecting stuffed animals. As an avid gardener, she appreciated going outdoors and the beauty of flowers, the pond, and the surrounding area of Lanark and Mount Carroll, Ill.

She is survived by her daughter, Diann (Jerry) Cassens of Lanark, Ill.; a granddaughter, August Cassens of Urbana, Ill.; and a grandson, Calvin Cassens of Lanark, Ill. She is also survived by a brother, Alvin Mouchka of Marengo; a sister, Rose Marie Kasparek of Solon; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Lee Bonnater in February 1976; her parents, Joseph and Sophie Mouchka; and her parents-in-law, CW (Bill) and Clara Bonnater. Also preceding her in death were four brothers, Ben, Elmer, Franklin and Laverne Mouchka; and three sisters, Irene Retting, Adeline Leishenring and Mable Grimm.

She was a 75-year member of the Western Fraternal Life Association (formerly known as ZCBJ), member of the first Christian Church of North English, Christian Women's Fellowship and the Lucky Day Club. After moving to Lanark, Ill., in 2001, she became a member of the Lanark United Methodist Church. Living in the Lanark area for over 11 years, she resided the past 4 1/2 years at the Good Samaritan Society in Mount Carroll, Ill.

Memorials may be directed to the Good Samaritan Society- Mount Carroll or the Lanark United Methodist Church.

A private family service will be held 1:30 p.m. Saturday, June 8, at Powell Funeral Home in North English. Burial will be at North English Cemetery.

Assisting the family is Law Jones Funeral Home in Mount Carroll and Powell Funeral Home in North English.

Online condolences: http://lawjonesfuneralhome.com and www.powellfuneralhomes.com.

Published June 3, 2013 in The Gazette