Obituary - Bonnie Marie King Kops

Her coffee pot sits empty as our beloved mother and grandmother, Bonnie Marie King Kops, 94, passed away June 4th, 2023.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 16, 2023, in Calvary Cemetery.

Her family has suggested memorial donations be made in Bonnie's memory to the charity of the donor's choice.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.

Please visit Bonnie's online memorial page to send a card or leave a message of condolence for her family at https://www.hollandbonine.com .

Born May 6, 1929, to Philip and Nellie King in Goldendale, Washington, one of eight children. Leaving this life in the early morning hours, Bonnie was always an early riser having lived on the farm North of Inverness for many years before moving to town in Havre. Then, after the death of her husband, Melvin, she moved to East Helena, which has been her home for the past 14 years.

In 1948, Bonnie met Mel Kops in Centralia, Washington, when Mel was working at a gas station and Bonnie was a waitress. They married April 15, 1950, in Centralia and moved to Chehalis, Washington, in 1951 and bought their first home where Bonnie had a day care.

In 1958, they then moved to Havre, Montana, and Bonnie, Kathy and Karen lived there while Mel worked on the family farm. In 1961, with the addition of newborn Kenny, the family moved to the farm homestead. The farm was home until 1985, when Mel and Bonnie moved back to Havre. Bonnie worked at the Uniform Shop and kept busy with her crafting at the Carousel Gift Store.

Bonnie developed lifelong friendships while at the family farm and her home in Havre. She hosted ceramics at her house with the neighbors, firing their creations in her kiln. Crocheting, sewing, making broom horses, dolls, doll clothes, and selling her items at craft shows with her daughters.

Bonnie loved her flowers and would save every tree even if it only looked like a stick. If there was any hope, she would try to save it. She even managed to transplant flowers from the house in Havre to the home in East Helena.

She made the best homemade rolls for holidays, pies and amazing chocolate chip cookies for Ken, Erik, and the rest of us. She always loved adding a little extra something for Heather, Hannah, and Bailey as they spent time at the farm, making banana bread for Jaydee and buying beanie babies for the grandkids, and stuffed animals for the great grandkids.

Bonnie also loved to cook and fix meals for family and friends. Always guaranteeing there would be something to eat in case someone stopped by. After all, living on the farm, it wasn't like you could just run to the store for anything you wanted. She always left everyone well fed, including little Rosie (the toy poodle) who never turned down a morsel of food from Grandma.

Until we meet again, in this life or the next, we bid you goodbye with a familiar sounding whispered greeting, "Hello, dear."

Survivors include her children, Kathy (Ken) Haugen of Great Falls, Karen (Pat) Wynne of Helena, and Kenneth (Angela Huschka) Kops of East Helena; brothers Dick (Jerri) Atkins of Goldendale, Washington, and Philip (Jacque) King of Hoodsport, Washington; brother-in-law Franklin (Joyce) Kops of Havre; grandchildren, Heather Wendell (Reed Link) of Great Falls, Erik (Kari) Haugen of Great Falls, Hannah Kops of East Helena, Bailey Kops (Lane Grove) of East Helena, and Jaydee Huschka of East Helena; great-grandchildren, Brecken Wendell, Kaitlyn Wendell, Myla Haugen, Madi Haugen, and Maya Haugen; along with several nieces, nephews, and cousins, especially Steven Kops and Trudy Rader.

Family members who previously passed on are her husband of 59 years, Melvin Kops; her parents; an infant sister, Charlodie K. King, and siblings William P King, Charlotte E. Wright, Edwin L. King and Nellie May Atkins.

Thank you to the staff at Beehive Assisted Living and the doctors and nurses at St. Peter's Health.

"When you see a butterfly, know that I am with you and will always be. Hold a hand, say a prayer, close your eyes and see me there. Although you may feel a bit torn apart, please know that I'll be forever in your heart. Now fly away, butterfly, as high as you can go. I'm right there with you more than you know." Excerpt from Untitled by Jill Haley.