Bonita “Bonnie” Lou (Walker) Wheeler
PORTAGE – An angel and saint has gone to be with her father, mother and older sister. Bonita “Bonnie” Lou (Walker) Wheeler was born to Wayne and Esther (Weller) Walker in Valley City, North Dakota on December 27, 1949, one day before her father’s birthday. At around the age of four, the family moved to Dalton, Wisconsin and later moved to Pardeeville, Wisconsin.
Bonita (meaning pretty) graduated from Pardeeville High School in 1968. She then went on to Beauty Culture School in Madison, graduating in 1969. Bonita started her work as a beautician at Myron’s Beauty Salon in Portage. On October 16, 1971, she married her true love, Daniel R. Wheeler, being married this October for 54 years. In 1973, their daughter, Heather, was born and in 1976, their son, Troy was born. After leaving Myron’s, Bonita worked at Wyocena and Portage nursing homes as a beautician until 1997 when she retired from working as a beautician and began to work at Bookworld in Portage and Wisconsin Dells, until medical problems caused her to retire in 2005. In 2005, Daniel and Bonita began to travel in their 5th Wheel, traveling for 12 years around the United States. The biggest joy of her life was being able to spend several months with her grandchildren in Montana. Her beautiful Vanessa, her huggy bear Briar and her very handsome Robert, Bonita adored and loved them deeply and could never get enough time with them, playing cribbage, games, movies, baking, reading to them when they were young and going to their activities.
Bonita had a very unique ability. She could join in with any group or meet any person and see the good in them throughout her life and travels.
Bonita is survived by her husband, Daniel; her daughter, Heather; her son, Troy; her grandchildren, Vanessa, Briar and Robert; her brother, Roger (Susan) Walker; mother-in-law, Lucille Wheeler; brother-in-law, Steven (Lynn) Wheeler; sister-in-law, Pamela (Terry) Dumke; her cousins, Jody Jaeger and Josh Weller; other cousins, aunts and uncles; her best friends of 40 years, Becky Ewert and Susan Golz; her very good friends from Michigan, Sam and Paulette Vanderwest; her favorite Uncle, Rodney (Betty) Walker. Bonita was preceded in death by her father, Wayne Walker, mother, Esther Walker, sister, Kathleen Walker, grandmother, Gertrude Weller, grandfather, Gaylord Walker and grandmother, Clara Walker.
An honor of Bonita’s life will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Portage United Methodist Church. Inurnment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pardeeville Elementary School for supplies.
Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.
