A Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper
Bonita "Bonnie" Mae (Bonebrake) Wilbur Kier, 97, of St. Ansgar entered the arms of Jesus on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at Good Samaritan Society in St. Ansgar.
Funeral services will take place Saturday, June 6, at 11 a.m. at Bethel Baptist Church in Newell. Burial will be in Buena Vista Memorial Park Cemetery in Storm Lake. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.
Bonnie was born April 23, 1929, in Waynesboro, Penn., to Harry and Eva Mae Bonebrake. She graduated from Storm Lake Senior High School. Bonnie came to know the Lord on Sept. 26, 1946. She then attended Emmaus Bible School, now located in Dubuque.
Bonnie married Walter Warren Wilbur on June 12, 1949, in Storm Lake. Together they raised four children: Nikki, Karen, Mark and James (“Jamie”).
Following Walt’s passing on April 1, 1999, Bonnie married Donald Kier in June 2003 in Newell, joyfully welcoming his three sons, daughter, their spouses, and many grandchildren and great‑grandchildren into her life.
Inspired by the needs of her youngest son, Jamie, Bonnie became active in the early founding years of the Association for Retarded Children (now The Arc). She served on the Iowa state nominating committee and worked tirelessly to advocate for educational opportunities for intellectually disabled children at a time when such services were not guaranteed.
Bonnie also devoted many years to Faith, Hope & Charity in Storm Lake. She began as a cook in the original facility and retired as the dietary and housekeeping supervisor. Her work there was one of her great joys, allowing her to contribute daily to the lives of children with special needs. She valued her work deeply and continued working joyfully until the age of 72.
Those who knew Bonnie well also knew she possessed a remarkable range of practical skills and a quiet determination that made her capable of nearly anything she set her mind to. At home, she tackled major projects with confidence — from removing walls to supervising the crew that built the addition to the family home. She sewed with such precision that she even drafted patterns for a company specializing in adaptive clothing. Whatever the task, Bonnie approached it with competence, creativity and an unassuming mastery that continually surprised and impressed those around her.
Bonnie and Walt began attending what would become Bethel Baptist Church from its earliest days. Her engagement there spanned decades and reflected her gifts and her heart. She served for roughly 25 years on the hospitality committee, where her talents as a cook and baker were greatly appreciated.
Two of her fond memories were mission trips connected to the Dauber family, missionaries in South America. Bonnie and Walt traveled to Colombia to help with the construction of dormitory and Bible school facilities. Later, after Walt’s passing, Bonnie traveled to Ecuador as the cook accompanying a church crew working with the Daubers at their new location. The team deeply appreciated her cooking, her steady presence and her warm “mom” qualities
Bonnie was also actively engaged in several Bible studies through Bethel — both small‑group and women’s morning studies — as well as a weekly prayer group where she led the devotional each week. She was also a part of the local Christian Women’s Club and participated in the Stonecroft Bible studies, rarely missing an opportunity to be involved.
In addition to her group involvement, Bonnie maintained a rich daily practice of studying the Word of God and praying — lifting up the needs of family, friends, missionaries and anyone in need. She prayed faithfully, specifically, and in detail, and her intercessory ministry was one of the defining callings of her life. Her quiet spiritual influence touched countless lives.
Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents; her brother Burt; her husbands, Walt Wilbur and Don Kier; her children: Jamie Wilbur, Mark Wilbur and Karen (Wilbur) Yost; sons- in-law: L. Dion Yost, J. Phil Waters; and stepsons, Steve Kier and Tim Kier.
She is survived by her sister June (Bonebrake) Swain; her daughter Nikki (Wilbur) Waters; daughter‑in‑law Lisa (Wilbur) Lewis and husband Mike; Patty and Rusty Kosky; Dave and Jan Kier; Kolesa (Rick) Wadle and Joelle Kier; grandchildren: Daniel (Faith) Wilbur, Treasure Yost and Abigail Yost; Jennifer (Geoff) Smith, Bethany (Troy) Beaver, Jill Kier, Nathan Kier, Tabitha (Ryan) DeMey, Amanda (Kenyon) Brown, Tammy O'Brien, Mindy (Austin) Wells, Alex Kier, Kalee (Aaron) Gerdes, Andrew (Tara) Kosky, Becka (Bob) Stauter. She is also lovingly remembered by the many Wilbur and Kier great‑grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren who blessed Bonnie with their affection and care throughout the years.
