BONNIE SILETZ STEPHENS
 

Bonnie Stephens, 86, a long time Tulelake resident, died May 4, 2000, at his Desert Hot Springs, CA home following a lengthy illness. Mr. Stephens was born May 6, 1913, in Kernville, OR. He married Anita Aug. 4, 1950 in Monterey Park. He worked for the timber industry before serving two years in the Navy and was stationed on the USS Hadley during the war. Became Gunners Mate Third Class on Hadley. After discharge, he worked for the city of Malin, was a farm machinery mechanic for Byron Johnson, and then worked 25 years as refrigeration engineer for LK Produce's Cold Storage business. He was a member of and also volunteered many years for Trinity Lutheran Church in Tulelake. He served as Mayor of Tulelake in 1975-77.

Bonnie Stephens, 86, a long time Tulelake resident, died May 4, 2000, at his Desert Hot Springs, CA home following a lengthy illness.

Mr. Stephens was born May 6, 1913, in Kernville, OR. He married Anita Aug. 4, 1950 in Monterey Park. He worked for the timber industry before serving two years in the Navy and was stationed on the USS Hadley during the war. Became Gunners Mate Third Class on Hadley. After discharge, he worked for the city of Malin, was a farm machinery mechanic for Byron Johnson, and then worked 25 years as refrigeration engineer for LK Produce's Cold Storage business. He was a member of and also volunteered many years for Trinity Lutheran Church in Tulelake. He served as Mayor of Tulelake in 1975-77.

Mr. Stephens was the second Western Fair Assoc. Blue Ribbon Award recipient. The prestigious award was presented by the Tulelake-Butte Valley Fair in 1968 in honor of the many years he dedicated to the fair and community as a member of the Tulelake Rotary Club, his design and building of a potato oven on the fairgrounds, his yearly contributions baking potatoes for the free Tulelake-Butte Valley Fair Rotary BBQ, and for his work as parking attendant for camping during the fair.

He and his wife Anita continued supporting the fair and yearly hosted fair entertainers, catering to their backstage needs.

Mr. Stephens is survived by his wife, Anita; sons, Kelly of Huntington Beach, CA and Ron of the Dalles; daughter Noel of Robert Lee, Texas; five brothers; three sisters; seven grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
 
Bonnie's Obituary

Submitted by wife, Edith