Bonnie Hofslien

Our beloved Bonnie Mae Hofslien, age 56, took her final journey from this life to the next on August 29, 2020, three and a half weeks after being diagnosed with glioblastoma brain cancer.  She leaves behind the love of her life, her devoted husband of 14 years, Troy; her mother Barbara Snider; her brothers Ted (Eliane) Snider, Randy Snider, and Michael (Terri) Snider; nephew Mason Snider; nieces Emily Wells and Alison Yuhasz; father and mother-in-law David and Elaine Hofslien; brother-in-law Dane (Jill) Hofslien; her precious fur baby, Jolene; and a large circle of extended family and dear friends.

Born Feb. 3, 1964 in Aurora, IL, Bonnie grew up in Lockport, IL where she graduated from high school in 1982. Bonnie lived in Waukegan, IL; Spring Grove, IL; Miami, FL; Antioch, IL; and in 2017 moved with her husband, Troy, to Aurora, CO.

Truly one of earth’s angels, Bonnie spent 33 years as a registered nurse, providing care, comfort and compassion to so many. She began her nursing career after graduating from Lewis University in 1987, and worked at Libertyville Manor Nursing Home, Lake Forest Hospital, Advocate Good Shepard Hospital, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Saint Catherine’s, and finally at Sky Ridge Medical Center, CO.

Throughout her career, Bonnie fulfilled the roles of Labor and Delivery Nurse, Postpartum Nurse, Charge Nurse, Preceptor, Clinical Coach, Neonatal Resuscitation Program Instructor, and Resolve Through Sharing Bereavement Counselor.  Of all her accomplishments, Bonnie was most proud of working with newborn babies.  During her more than three decades of nursing, she helped deliver and care for well over 3,000 babies. This included a few babies of well-known members of the 1985 Chicago Bears football team, a source of great amusement for her Packers-loving Hofslien family.

Bonnie recently received the great honor of being accepted as a member of the Daughters of American Revolution (DAR), a non-profit, non-political volunteer women's service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America's future through better education for children.  Bonnie’s genealogy shows ancestors dating back to the American colonists of the mid-1600s.  While she had already fallen ill when the award came in, she would have been so very thrilled with this prestigious honor which she had been working towards for many months.

An adventurer and traveler at heart, Bonnie achieved her goal of visiting all 50 states before she turned 50.  Bonnie has also been to 25 countries, and she and Troy loved exploring new places together, often packing their bags before even knowing their destination.  Bonnie was always ready to experience life (and take a lot of selfies along the way)!

Besides traveling, Bonnie loved the outdoors, and was particularly drawn to the mountains.  She enjoyed camping, fishing, four wheeling, hiking, and gardening.  She always had a craft project in the works – from basket weaving to painting rocks to making soap.  Bonnie would tell you that the best thing about making crafts was giving them to her dearest family and friends.

While most of us can count on one hand the number of close friends in our lives, Bonnie had dozens of life-long and very dear-to-her-heart friends.  Generous with her time, her love, and her actions, she gave the gift of friendship freely and joyfully.  Her sensitive sweet soul touched many people who, in turn, loved her back.  Bonnie was a giver and a true friend in every sense of the word.

Not a day will go by that we don’t miss Bonnie’s laugh; her playful, funny side; the way she tilted her head and really listened when asking you a question; and her zest for life.  While we do not understand the reason God took her from us so soon, we were blessed to have Bonnie on this earth for 56 years, and we will carry her light and smile and love with us until we meet again.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider donating in memory of Bonnie Hofslien to the Piney Creek Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for a Nursing Scholarship set up in her name.  Checks should be payable to Piney Creek Chapter, NSDAR and donations may be sent to:

Piney Creek Chapter

c/o Lara Kendrick (re Bonnie Hofslien)

12563 E Pacific Circle, Unit F

Aurora, CO 80014-5363

As Bonnie has so many dear friends near and far, and due to COVID concerns, services will be live streamed via Zoom on Saturday, September 5, 2020 at 10am MST. It is recommended that you download the Zoom app first to familiarize yourself with it before the service.

Joi n Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/92969219638