Bonnie J. Fruit

Bonnie J. Fruit, age 91, of Lancaster, passed away on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at Lancaster Health Services. She was born on August 11, 1933, in Mt. Ida Township, the adopted daughter of Roy and Grace (Walker) Knapp. Bonnie graduated from Lancaster High School in 1951 and furthered her education at Platteville State Teacher’s College, graduating in 1953. She began teaching at country schools in the Lancaster and Fennimore areas. Bonnie later taught for several years at Ss. Andrew Thomas Catholic School in Potosi. She also worked at the United States Department of Agriculture as a statistician and volunteered as a tour guide at Nelson Dewey Historical Site. On September 26, 1992, Bonnie was united in marriage to Gerald Fruit at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. He preceded her in death on December 10, 2016. She was a member of the Lancaster Congregational Church and enjoyed traveling and visiting Historical Sites. Bonnie was an avid reader and cat lover. She would often be seen with a cat in her lap while reading a book. 

Survivors include her son, Vernon (Sandy) Stanfley; Grandchildren: Dustin (Andrea Leonard) Stanfley, Benjamin (Suzie) Stanfley, Brandi Stanfley, Devin Mootz, Phil (Sue) Walker; Great- Grandchildren: Winston Stanfley, Emily (Seth) Standke, Duncan Walker, Maia Ryman; Great-Great Grandchild, Nora Standke; a daughter-in-law, Leta Stanfley; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Bonnie was preceded in death by a son, Steven Stanfley, and her sister, Arlene (Harold E.) Wagner. 

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Lancaster Congregational Church with Pastor Mark Dieter officiating. The burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, Lancaster. Family and friends may call on Tuesday, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory in Lancaster is entrusted with her care.