Carmen Eleanor Bonneville

Carmen Eleanor Bonneville, 87, of Kettle River died Monday, June 28, 2010 in Golden Oaks Assisted Living in Hermantown. She was born March 16, 1923 in Motley to George and Theron Sears. She grew up in the Aitkin-McGregor area. On Sept. 25, 1938 she married Louis Bonneville in McGregor. They moved around, living and farming in Duluth, Esko, and Duquette before settling in Kettle River. Carmen enjoyed being a homemaker and mother. She also enjoyed crocheting and crafts. She was known as the "Salad Chef" for the restaurant work she did in Oklahoma. She wrote a family book and was adept at doing pictures on the computer. Carmen always wanted to be a nurse. Working as a nurse's aide at Mercy Health Care Center in Moose Lake in the late 1970's was the closest she came to her dream. After retirement, she and her husband moved to Bentonville, Ark. to care for her parents. She also lived in Alamo, Texas until her health required her to move back to Minnesota. Carmen was the President of the Park Association in Alamo, Texas, an officer in the Minnesota Holstein Association, and held various offices in the Esko PTA. Carmen was preceded in death by her husband, Louis; two infant children, George and Mary Joan; and an infant brother Elmo Sears. She is survived by eleven children, Robbie (Eileen) of Almo, Texas, Frances (Wayne) Hubert of Hermantown, Richard (Kathleen) of Alamo, Texas, Linda Grotheer of Nowata, Okla., Wayne of Hot Springs, Ark., Wanda Bonneville of Duluth, Jackie (Leonard) Sheldon of Blackhoof, Jill (Chris Gambling) Bonneville of Barnum, Patrick of Hot Springs, Ark., Michael (Janice) of Mapleton, Ill., and Winnie (Ron) Lynch of Rogers, Ark.; four sisters, Cherie (Ralph) Crane of Aitkin, Darla (Jack) Gould of McGregor, Marsha Bland of Gentry, Ark., and Holly L'Amour of Bentonville, Ark.; her cousin, Richard Busch of Aitkin; 37 grandchildren; 48 great grandchildren; and 7 great great grandchildren. Memorial Services were held on Friday, July 2, 2010 in the Atkins-Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th St. in Cloquet. Inurnment was in Sandy Lake Cemetery. A time of lunch and fellowship followed in the Fireside Room of the funeral home.