McLaud, Bonnie J.

Bonnie J. McLaud, 70, of Cedar Rapids, died peacefully in her home on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012, with her loved ones by her side. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20, at Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel, with the Rev. William B. Harnish officiating. Burial will take place at Oak Shade Cemetery, Marion. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the chapel.

Survivors include her husband, Richard; daughter, Joyce (Damien) Lathrop of Cedar Rapids; granddaughter, Kylie Conwell (Cameron Wise) of Cedar Rapids; her brother, Paul (Joyce) Knudtson of Spanaway, Wash.; stepchildren, Jodi (Tim) James and Marye McLaud, both of Parker, Colo., and Jeff (Dee) McLaud of Cedar Rapids. Also surviving are her “special buddy and grandson,” Sheldon Lathrop; and her best friend and great-granddog, Nova.

She was preceded in death by her parents; four siblings; and her son, Richard Jr. in 2008.

Bonnie was born Dec. 16, 1941, in Waukon, Iowa, the daughter of Bertha Daniels Knudtson and Norman Nelson. She married Richard McLaud in 1967.

Bonnie loved to play bingo, have cookouts with her family, horror movies and the Sci-fi channel. She especially loved her only granddaughter, Kylie. Before her passing, she was anxiously awaiting the arrival of her newest grandchild.

Bonnie was a loving mother, wife, sister, grandma and friend to all who knew her. She will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. She was a strong-willed woman with a heart of gold.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Pat, Jamie and Nancy from Hospice of Mercy for all their love and prayers during mom's final months.

Memorial donations in Bonnie's honor may be directed to the family.

Please leave a message, tribute or memory to Bonnie's family on the webpage, www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.

Published Feb. 17, 2012 in The Gazette