Benita ‘Bonnie’ L. Mantela
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Bonnie was born on Sept. 28, 1948, the daughter of Robert E. and Betty J. (Brown) Homeier and was raised in Ishpeming. She attended Ishpeming High School, graduating in 1966. She then continued her education at St. Luke’s School of Nursing, receiving her degree in 1969 as a RN.
The former Benita L. Homeier married Douglas W. Mantela on June 13, 1970, at Bethel Lutheran church in Ishpeming.
Bonnie was employed for many years at different hospitals including Marquette General Hospital and St. Francis Hospital as a charge nurse. In 1975, Bonnie and Doug relocated to Escanaba with their family and opened Dobber’s Pasties.
Bonnie was a very active member of St. Anne’s Church.
She enjoyed being a wife, mother, and grandmother.
Among the survivors include her husband, Doug of Wells; sons, Bradley (Josephine) of Gladstone, Christopher (Kara) of Harrison Township, Mich., David (Cori) of Marquette; grandchildren, Jacob, Kaleb, Gabrielle, Luke, Grabiel, and Victoria; her parents, Robert and Betty Homeier; brother, Brad (Debra) Homeier of Gladstone; and a sister, Becky (Gary) Thibeault of Ishpeming.
Visitation will be on Friday, May 9, from 2 to 5:30 p.m. at the Crawford Funeral Home in Escanaba.
The Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 6 p.m. at St. Anne’s Church with Rev. Francis DeGroot, Rev. Mike Steber, and Rev. Janusz Romanek concelebrating. A luncheon will follow in the church fellowship hall.
Burial will be in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be set up at a later date.
The Crawford Funeral Homes of Escanaba and Bark River are assisting the Mantela family with arrangements.
