Karen Jo Bonanno

Karen Jo Bonanno, 78, of Jackson/Ione, passed away on July 29, 2025

Karen was born in San Jose, CA, on October 8, 1946, to Ted J and Phyllis Anderson. They lived in Campbell, where she attended Campbell High School. She married Joseph Charles Bonanno, Jr, on February 7, 1973. They resided in the San Jose Bay Area, where Karen held many jobs, including a long stint at Nordstrom, until 1997, when they purchased a ranch in the Jackson Valley area of Ione. From that day, Karen relished country life, caring for her horses, dogs, chickens, and any animal that needed her care (a raccoon named Zorro, a long-horned calf abandoned by its mother, a dog who followed her truck on a country road).

Karen and Joe remained married until his death in November 2005.

Karen was an artist, an excellent cook and baker, a horsewoman, and was loyal to her many lifelong friends.

Karen is survived by her brother, Gary, and his wife, Joanne, of Ione; nephew, Joe Anderson, and his wife, Auri, of San Bruno; niece, Tara Anderson, and her son, Zane, of Moraga. Curtis Dorn, who lived with Karen and Joe during his teenage years, and his wife Tina of Jackson. Curtis and Tina were a huge part of Karen's life and remained close to her throughout her life.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, August 13, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Sunset View Cemetery, located in the Garden of Golden Memories, Jackson, CA.