Bonnie DeAnne Stakset's Obituary
On December 28th, 2018, surrounded by her family, Bonnie DeAnne Stakset broke free from her fight with cancer and dementia and went home to be with Jesus. She was born on October 6th, 1939 in Tacoma, WA and is preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Myrtle (Strom) Kelling and her brother, James Kelling.
She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Allen Stakset, and her three kids and their spouses, Todd (Pauli) Stakset, Tana (Bruce) Columbia, and Lisa (Chris) Hansler, as well as her seven grandchildren (Allie, Andrew, Ashley, Lindsey, Bob, Johnathan, and Annie) and four great-grandchildren (Joshua, Zadok, Judah, and Paxton). She graduated from Bethel High School in 1957, the same year she married the love of her life.
Bonnie’s life was mostly marked by her immense and palpable love for her family, her savior, and her church, as the most noteworthy memories of Bonnie were acts of love for one of these.
She was a long-time attender of Bethany Open Bible in Tacoma and Celebration Center in Puyallup, where she often joyfully served with a warmth that made all others feel valued. She was an incredible cook and hostess that made her famous to all who knew of her. She would cook at church events and youth summer camps and hosted small groups and church pool parties at her home, always with a genuine joy and excitement. She never complained about the chaos of it all, but rather joining in and celebrating the chaos. When screaming, soaking wet kids would run through her kitchen or she was caught in the middle of a camp prank, she’d belly laugh and say, “This is just nutzo!”
She loved her grandkids and great-grandkids. She loved to host her family at her pool every summer, having them break midday for an elaborate, home-cooked treat before joining them back outside shortly after. She always greeted them with surprise and excitement and sent them off with great love, following them out the door, and reminding their driver that they were carrying “precious cargo,” even if she knew she’d see them tomorrow.
She lived for her kids. Tana, Todd, and Lisa were her greatest joy, and nothing fulfilled her more than being in the presence of her family. While she loved all, she saved her absolute best for her kids. She’d work tirelessly for days to prepare dinner for a holiday, cleaning every inch of her home in anticipation for her kids to come home. After days and hours of work, they’d gather around the dinner table and hear her routine disclaimer, “It’s nothing fancy!” (It was always fancy.)
Most of all, her love for her husband was infinite and fierce. She stood by him loyally, supporting him in every dream, and entrepreneurial endeavor, and every hobby he chose. While the hostess in her loved having friends over, Al was her very best friend. Until the very last second of their 61 years together, there was never a moment that she could bear being apart from him, even if it only meant accompanying him to Costco or running a short errand. She loved watching football with him, she worked at the front desk of the business he founded, Tacoma Plumbing and Heating, and she loved traveling with him, especially to find the sun together. To her heart’s content, she spent her last weeks in his arms at almost every moment.
She loved the Lord with her whole heart, singing his praises day in and day out, always committing her loved ones to prayer and frequently speaking of His angels that she prayed would surround them. She is undoubtedly basking in the sun of her Savior, whipping up an elaborate feast, and her infectious belly laugh will surely be echoed throughout heaven.
Her family would like to thank Wiser Home Health Care for their incredible, attentive, and meaningful care for Bonnie at the end of her life, especially to Hellen, Jane, Molly, Margaret, Sara and Vicki. Thank you each for showering your love and prayers, and for giving your best to mom and dad until the very end. Our family is so grateful to each of you and could not have asked for better company and stronger expertise during such a time.
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