Ellen L. Bonham

Ellen Louise (Dick) Bonham Ellen passed away peacefully on June 7, 2018. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend who was loved by everyone she met. She is survived by her husband Milton Bonham, daughters Vivian Bonham, Linda Hurst, and Margaret Hildebrandt (husband Michael), grandchildren Leslie Rios, Michaela Girouard (husband Eric), and Michael Hildebrandt Jr., great-grandchildren Celeste Rios, Jacob Rios, Ryker Girouard, Brock Girouard, and brother Jim Dick (wife Shirley), as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Leslie G. Dick Jr. and grandson James Hurst. Ellen Louise Dick was born in the fall of 1931 to Lois (Ballard) Dick and Leslie Grover (Happy) Dick at home in the community of Yates, New Mexico. Her family called her Louise. She attended classes in a two-room country schoolhouse in Yates until the eighth grade, and graduated from Roy High School in New Mexico. Ellen moved to Denver in 1952 and found a job at Singer Sewing Machine Company where she worked in the office as an auditor for the States of Idaho, Utah, Texas, and Colorado. She took college classes in Art and Psychology and went to USO dances at the YMCA on the Lowry Air Force Base. At that time in the early 50’s she was not afraid to walk home alone from classes or the YMCA after the dance. She met Milton (Milt) Bonham at one of the USO dances. They were married May 13, 1955 in the Central Presbyterian Church in downtown Denver. Milt was in the Air Force and they frequently moved around the country living in numerous States - California, Texas, Alabama, Virginia, and Washington - to name a few. They met a lot of people over the years, and kept in contact during the holidays. Ellen had many creative outlets. Her mother taught her how to crochet and quilt, and she made numerous afghans and other items throughout her life. She enjoyed making jewelry, making resin grapes on the vine, and doing ceramic work. She ran the ceramic shop at the Air Force Base where they lived in the mid-1960’s. In her later years, she taught herself how to knit, took painting classes, and took cake-decorating classes. She decorated cakes for three weddings, and taught her daughter Margaret this skill. She enjoyed all types of crafting and often gave away her work to friends, family, and charitable causes. She was also an avid photographer and was called “grandma camera”. She was an unofficial photographer at her grandchildren’s school events and the many conventions she attended with Milt. She had a good eye and enjoyed seeing life through the camera lens. She taught Sunday school and helped teach Vacation Bible School to five year olds. Early family vacations were camping trips to Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Organ Pipe in Arizona close to Tucson. In addition to all the domestic moves, Ellen travelled abroad. She and Milt went to Mexico, visiting the Yucatan Peninsula including Cancun and Cozumel. In 1980, Milt, a private pilot, rented an airplane and flew them to the Bahamas. In 1991 she and her daughter Vivian travelled to England and took a tour of France. In 1994, she and Milt went to Germany and made stops in France and Switzerland. One of Ellen’s holiday traditions was making homemade candy. One year she made thirteen different kinds. Favorites were Dark Chocolate Fudge, Divinity, and Louisiana Cream Fudge. At times, it was a family affair enjoyed by all. Ellen touched the lives of so many people, she will be truly missed. The angels are rejoicing in Heaven at her homecoming. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ellen Bonham’s name may be made to the El Jebel Shrine for the Shriners Hospital Fund: 3443 S. Galena St. Denver CO 80231 Celebration of Life Wednesday., 06/13/18, 10:30 AM, Horan & McConaty, 3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd.