Bonnie Jean Benkelman

1933 - 2023  (89 years)

• Name	Bonnie Jean Benkelman  [1, 2]
  Born	8 Dec 1933	Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan   [1, 2]
  Gender	Female
  Died	26 Sep 2023	Houston, Harris County, Texas
  Notes	Bonnie was extremely active during her High School years in Cass City, Michigan. According to her yearbook, the "1952 Perranos", she spent four years in the band (she played the clarinet) and in the honor society; was alternately treasurer, secretary, and president of her home room; was in the junior class play; and was on the Annual Staff and in the Queen's Homecoming Court her senior year. Her lively sense of humor was apparent from her statement in the class will: "I, Bonnie Benkelman, of questionable mind and body, will my ability, (which I don't have) to stay on my hall guide post all hour to Jean Holmberg, who doesn't have it either but since she has to make a good impression it might come in handy." She went to Western Michigan College in Kalamazoo, and was a member of the Sigma Kappa sorority. She was social chairperson of the Panhellenic Council in 1952. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, specializing in Occupational Therapy. It was a good fit for her, combining her love of science and her enjoyment of doing things with her hands. Bonnie noted that Jane Stickley Benkelman, a nurse who worked both with veterans and crippled children, had suggested she pursue this career path. Bonnie interned in Baltimore, at Shepherd Pratt Psychiatric Hospital, becoming an O.T.R. She also received an Elementary Provisional Certificate from the State of Michigan State Board of Education which would have allowed her to teach Occupational Therapy at the High School level. Her first job after graduation was at Hines Veterens' Administrations Hospital in Chicago, in the Cardiac department. She saved her money faithfully to purchase an automobile. At that time a VW Beetle cost around $1,500. When she was within $50 of this goal, she broke her leg skiing. Most of her savings went to pay off her hospital bills, and to finance a trip to Europe with her Aunt Ilo Smith shortly before her wedding. When Bonnie resigned from the Veterens' Administration in before her marriage in 1958, she was classified as a GS-631-7 and was making $4,980 yearly. Bonnie worked as an Occupational Therapist before her daughters were born. When her eldest daughter was 18 months old, she returned to work at the Scottish Rite Hospital for Crippled Children in Dallas. After the birth of younger daughters, she stopped her paid employment to become a full time mom and volunteer. She was a homeroom mother, sunday school teacher, and girl scout leader. (Research): In the News Cass City Chronicle Friday, July 12, 1940 Local Happenings, Page Four The dog at the B.F. Benkelman Jr., home rejoiced Sunday night. His little mistress, Bonny, and her mother, Mrs. B.F. Benkelman, Jr., returned that day from a week's visit in Lansing and Grand Ledge. Cass City Chronicle Cass City, Michigan, Friday, October 26, 1956 Page One Bonnie Benkelman Passes OTR Exam "Miss Bonnie Benkelman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B.F. Benkelman, 4581 West Street, Cass City, has successfully completed her national examination for registration by the American Occupational Therapy Association. A graduate of Western Michigan College, Kalamazoo, one of 29 colleges in the United States offering OT programs approved by the American Medical Association, Miss Benkelman joins the ranks of 5,000 OTR's working in hospitals and schools across the nation. Occupational therapists give treatment on the doctor's prescription in the form of supervised activity to people injured physically or mentally by accident or disease." Cass City Chronicle April 28, 1960 Page Six Cass City Area Social and Personal Items Mr. and Mrs. Ben Benkelman enjoyed a four-day visit last week with their daughter and family, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McLemore and little daughter, in Chicago. Cass City Chronicle August 18, 1960 Page 4 Mr. and Mrs. T.E. McLemore and little daughter Melinda of Chicago, Ill., returned home Saturday after two weeks here with Mrs. McLemore's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Benkelman. Cass City Chronicle Thursday, July 26, 1962 Page Two Cass City Area Social and Personal Items Mrs. Thomas McLemore and daughter Melinda of Dallas, Texas, are spending two weeks with Mrs. McLemore's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Benkelman. Cass City Chronicle Thursday, July 15, 1966 Page Two Personal News from Cass City Area Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McLemore and daughters, Melinda and Melissa, from Houston, Tex. Arrived July 4 and have been visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Benkelman. Their youngest daughter, Leigh remained in Texas with her paternal grandmother. The McLemores expect to leave Thursday to return home. The following article was published in "The Paris (TX) News" in the Fall of 1976. Mrs. McLemore is Newcomer Mrs. Tom (Bonnie) McLemore, 1065 Johnson Woods Drive, has been named as the Welcome Wagon's Newcomer of the Month. A native of Michigan, Mrs. McLemore attended schools in Cass City and holds a bachelor's degree in occupational therapy from Western Michigan University. She has been active in Girl Scouting, garden club work, Panhellenic activities, and a volunteer for Hope House for the Multiple-Handicapped Children. She and her husband have three daughters, Melinda, 16; Melissa, 13, and Leigh, 11, and have lived in Paris about a month.
  Person ID	I13	Strong Family Tree
  Last Modified	28 Sep 2023

  
  

  Father	Benjamin Franklin Benkelman, Jr.,   b. 17 Nov 1899, Jaqua, Cheyenne County, Kansas ,   d. 8 Mar 1998, Houston, Harris County, Texas  (Age 98 years)
  Mother	Avis Augusta Smith,   b. 4 Apr 1901, Odessa Township, Ionia County, Michigan ,   d. 7 Nov 1981, St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida  (Age 80 years)
  Married	24 Aug 1926	Grand Ledge, Eaton County, Michigan   [3, 4]
  	Per the Certificate of Marriage between Ben F. Benkelman and Avis A. Smith, the couple were joined in marriage at Grand Ledge, County of Eaton, Michigan, on the 24th day of August, A.D. 1926, in the presence of Wm B. Smith and Ida Smith of Grand Ledge (the bride's parents) as witnesses. The clergyman officiating was Ernst R. Lactham, Pastor of the Congregational Church.
  Documents » Slide Show		Smith, Avis Augusta marriage to Ben Benkelman Marriage License issued in Eaton County, Michigan
  		Smith, Avis Augusta Family Bible, p 4 of 4 Marriages information, listing the marriage of Avis to Ben Benkelman, as well as the marriage of their only child, Bonnie
  		Benkelman, Ben and Avis Home, 1920's through 1940's The home of Ben and Avis Benkelman, 4354 Woodland, Cass City, Michigan ca 1940's
  		Benkelman, Ben and Avis Home, 1940's through 1960's The Benkelman Home on West Street in Cass City. This was the home the Benkelman's moved to when Bonnie was in High School, and this photo of it was taken in the late 1950's.
  		Benkelman, Ben and Avis, Lake Huron Weekend Cottage Ben and Avis's summer cottage, Sand Point, Caseville, Michigan on Huron Bay
  Family ID	F12	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Living
  Children	1. Living   2. Living   3. Living
  Documents		Smith, Avis Augusta Family Bible, p 4 of 4 Marriages information, listing the marriage of Avis to Ben Benkelman, as well as the marriage of their only child, Bonnie
  Last Modified	1 Jan 2021
  Family ID	F3	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Event Map		Born - 8 Dec 1933 - Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan Died - 26 Sep 2023 - Houston, Harris County, Texas  = Link to Google Earth
  Pin Legend	: Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  
  

• Photos » Slide Show		Benkelman, Bonnie Jean ca 1933, being held by her Mother Newborn Bonnie Benkelman, being held by her mother, Avis Smith Benkelman, in Cass City, Michigan, December 1933
  		Benkelman, Bonnie Jean ca 1934 Bonnie, as a infant, from her grandmother Minnie's photo album
  		Benkelman, Benjamin Franklin Jr. ca 1935, with his daughter, Bonnie Ben with his daughter Bonnie, age 13 months
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
  		Benkelman, Minnie ca 1935, with her grandchildren Minnie Jesse Benkelman with her grandchildren. She is holding the youngest, Bonnie, and Bill is to her left, Bob and Dorothy to her right, with all the grandchildren making funny faces.
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
  		Benkelman, Bonnie Jean ca 1936 The much beloved only child of Ben Benkelman, Jr. and Avis Smith of Cass City, Michigan. This picture was probably taken around 1937.
  		Benkelman, Bonnie Jean ca 1937 Bonnie ca 1937, Cass City, Michigan
  		Elliott, Ida Alice with her daughters and granddaughter ca 1938 From left to right: Ilo Smith, Bonnie Benkelman (granddaughter), Ida Elliott Smith, and Avis Smith Benkelman. Appears to have been taken in Grand Ledge, Michigan.
  		Benkelman, Bonnie Jean ca 1942, and friends L to R: Lois Little, Jessie Fry and Bonnie Benkelman, Cass City, ca 1942. Jessie, whose mother was a Striffler, and Bonnie were distantly related.
  		Benkelman, Bonnie Jean ca 1942 Bonnie in her Girl Scout uniform, circa 1942, in Cass City, Michigan.
  		Benkelman, Bonnie Jean ca 1947 at Girl Scout Camp in Fenton, Michigan Camp Tyrone Campers, Session One, 1947 Intermediate Girl Scouts Fenton, Genesee County, Michigan Listed alphabetically, and not in the order pictured. List compiled from signatures on the back of the photo, and does not appear to be complete. Janet ADAMS, Louise ANDREWS, Mabel F. BROWN, Wanda BURKS, Sue CARTWRIGHT, Mary CAVANAUGH, Mary Lee CLARK, Suzanne DANIELS, Margaret DARLING, Shirlee DIAMOND, Lucille FISHER, Jean FORD, Joan FORD, Mary Jo GAMBILL, Margaret GRAYSON, Janie GUERRA, Valarie HERRINGTON, Lee Ann HEGLE, Miss Mary HIATLEECH, Onalee HOKINGER, Libbie HOOD, Jane HUNT, Patricia IRVING, Peggy KAPPELMAN, Marilyn KLINE, Mary Ellen LAVELY, Mabel LEMBACH, Jane LITTLE, Mary McCLOREY, Norma Jean McDONALD, Miss Mary Jean MILLER, Beverly MANSOUR, Mitze MORRIS, Miss Margie NEWLAND, Miss Florence OLSON, Jeanette PARKER, ?Chuck? STOGSCHILL, Katie SPILLMAN, Joan SPITSBERGEN, Pat TROTTER, Jean VENABLE, Joyce VENABLE, Lillian VENABLE , Millie VOWEL Bonnie, with her hair braided and pinned up, is in the second row from the top, the fifth person from the left.
  		Benkelman, Bonnie Jean ca 1948 at Girl Scout Camp in Fenton, Michigan Camp Tyrone Campers, Period Three, 1948 Intermediate Girl Scouts Fenton, Genesee County, Michigan Bonnie is in the second row from the top, the second camper to the left, in a white shirt and grey sweater. From the Cass City Chronicle, Friday, July 16, 1948 Twelve intermediate Girl Scouts are looking forward to two weeks at Camp Tyrone near Fenton and expect to leave July 20 for camp. Those who expect to attend are: June ENGLEHART, Kathie WOOD, Marilyn SCHWADERER, Damon KEPPEN, Bonnie J. BENKELMAN, Marjorie HOLCOMB, Mary WOOD, Patricia HOCHBERG, Joyce MERCHANT, Karen GRACEY, Jeanette PARKER and Mary McCLOREY
  		Benkelman, Bonnie Jean ca 1948 Bonnie ready for her first Cass City High School formal
  		Benkelman, Bonnie Jean ca 1949 Taken the summer before Bonnie's Junior Year of High School
  		Cass City (Michigan) High School Band, ca 1950 Bonnie (10th grade) is the first person on the left in the bottom row, and Richard "Dick" Joos (8th Grade) is the last student on the right of the bottom row, standing next to the Band Director, Mr. Borg. Pictured, beginning on the top left, (row one, top) J. McLachlan, E. Smith, N. Sinclair, P. Stirton, L. Hnatiak, J. Field, J. Wilson, T. Sinclair; (row two) M. Pratt, F. Parrot, N. Harris, F. Butler, R. Hendrick, G. Graham, B. Patch, B. Freeman, J. Parker; (row three) K. Wood, M. McClorey, R. Marshall, M. Caister, M. Martinek, E. Sickler, B. Wheaton, D. O'Dell; (row four) D. Donahue, N. Graham, W. Rayl, M. Wood, A. Pinney, J. Biddle, M. Agar, P. Copeland, J. Seeley; (row five, bottom) B. Benkelman, A. Lorentzen, D. Butler, R. Parrish, G. Wilson, C. Chapin, S. Ackerman, D. Joos, and Mr. Borg, Band Leader
  		Benkelman, Bonnie Jean ca 1950 Bonnie in her Band Uniform, Cass City High School
  		Benkelman, Bonnie Jean ca 1950 or 1951, Cass City High School Clarinet Quartet Cass City High School, Clarinet Quartet L to R: Joan Holmberg, Mary Wood, Delphine Iseler and Bonnie Benkelman The Friday, March 3, 1950 issue of the Cass City Chronicle reported that Joan Holmberg, 1rst clarinet; Bonnie Benkelman, 2nd; Mary Wood, 3rd; and Delphine Iseler 4th, earned a first division rating at the Solo Ensemble Festival at Mt. Morris, playing the waltz "Two and Two." This quailified them to participate in the state festival at Ann Arbor on April 1, 1950. The 17 Cass City Band students who attended the festival "stopped at Frakenmuth for a chicken dinner on the way home." The same ensemble participated in the Instrumental Solo and Ensemble Festival at Elkton on March 2, 1951, earning a second division rating.
  		Benkelman, Bonnie Jean ca 1952 This was Bonnie's High School Senior Portrait
  		Benkelman, Bonnie Jean ca 1952 Cass City High School, Homecoming Court L to R: Princess Bonnie Benkelman, Queen Joan Green, Princess Gail Lester
  		Western Michigan Sigma Kappa Sorority Sisters, Packed for Miami Beach, June 1954 Western Michigan University attendees to the Sigma Kappa Fifty-Sixth Convention, June 27-July 2, 1954, The Roney Plaza, Miami Beach, Florida Bonnie, with dark hair, is on the left, top PLEASE HELP US IDENTIFY HER SORORITY SISTERS
  		Benkelman, Bonnie Jean ca 1957 Bonnie in uniform, her Occupational Therapist Registered Insignia on her shoulder
  		Benkelman, Bonnie Jean ca 1957 Bonnie was an Occcupational Therapist at the Hines Veteran's Administration Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. Bonnie is seated, to the left, with her elbow on the table.
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
  		Benkelman, Bonnie Jean ca 1958 Bonnie Benkelman standing at the mantel of her parent's home in Cass City, Easter Weekend, 1958
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
  		Benkelman, Bonnie Jean ca 1968 Sigma Kappa Fundraiser, Houston, Texas Bonnie was an active volunteer for the local Sigma Kappa Sorority chapter in Houston, Texas. Pictured from left to right are Mrs. Max Clayborne Strong (Karen Kay Bryan), Mrs. Robert F. Smith and Mrs. Tom McLemore (Bonnie Jean Benkelman).
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
  		Benkelman, BonnieMargaret ca 1998 with cousins l to r: Lorraine Smith "Smitty" Benkelman, Bonnie (Benkelman) McLemore: BonnieMargaret (Benkelman)Jacobs; Dot (Ball) Williams; June (Gilbert) Striffler with her husband Russell; and Bob Benkelman, Smitty's husband. BonnieMargaret, who spent many years researching the Benkelman family, arranged a 1998 reunion of cousins in at her Florida home, in order to compare family photos and stories.
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.

  
  

  Documents » Slide Show		Benkelman, Bonnie Jean ca 1949, Baptism Certificate Certificate of Baptism, Salem Evangelical United Brethren Church, Cass City, Michigan, April 14, 1949, signed by Stanley P. Kirn, Pastor
  		Cass City (Michigan) High School, 1927-1997 This photo of the High School, built in 1927 and demolished in 1997, appears to have been taken sometime between 1930 and 1950
  		Cass City (Michigan) High School, Class of 1952, Junior Class Play Cast Photo, ca 1950/51 Cast of Characters: Jim Bartlett, in the Construction business (Wesley Frederick), Delia Bartlett, his wife (Mary Wood), Bunny, their daughter (Mary McClorey), Tommie, their son (John Ellis), Nettie, another daughter (Betsy Thorpe), Lizzie, the maid (Judy Dickinson), Jessica Atwood, Bunny's guest (Bonnie Benkelman), Delphine Lindley, another one of Bunny's guests (Doris Root), Steve Henderson, an admirer of Bunny's (Tom Schwaderer), Hugh Russell, another admirer (Dick Wallace), Carol Russell, the girl next door (Jane McMiller), Miss Flora Fenwick, a naturalist (Lemoyne Krohn), Mrs. Phelps, a contractor's wife (Delores Simmons) Note: The cast is listed in order of their appearance in the play, which does not correspond to their order in the photo. Bonnie in a black and white hat, is second from the right, and her good friend, Mary Wood, is standing fifth from the right. PLEASE HELP US PUT ALL THE NAMES WITH THE FACES.
  		Cass City (Michigan) High School, Class of 1952, Junior Class Play Program, ca 1950/51 "A Mind of Her Own: A Comedy in Three Acts," by Anne Ferring Weatherly. Director Osto Ross. Set in the living room of the summer cottage of the Bartlett's, situated on the shore of Silver Lake, in a northern state in the Middle West.
  		Cass City (Michigan) High School, Senior Trip to New York City, June 1952 Article from the "Cass City Chronicle" Volume 47, Number 5, Friday, May 30, 1952. Photos from the scrapbook of Bonnie Benkelman. Bonnie is third from the left in the bottom photo, in the print robe.
  		Cass City (Michigan) High School, Senior Trip to New York City, June 1952 New York City Senior Trip Itinerary
  		Cass City (Michigan) High School, Class of 1952 Graduates of the Class of 1952
  		Western Michigan University, Davis Hall Exterior, ca 1955 Bonnie Benkelman was a resident student at WMU, living in the newly constructed Davis Hall. This photo was from the college annual, the "Brown and Gold."
  		Western Michigan University, Davis Hall, Mid Century Modern interior, ca 1955 Bonnie Benkelman was a resident student at WMU, living in the newly constructed Davis Hall. This photo was from the college annual, the "Brown and Gold."
  		Benkelman, Bonnie ca 1955, Dorm Hall Group Photo During her junior year at Western Michigan in Kalamazoo, Bonnie was a resident of Davis Hall, the newest women's dorm on the campus. This group photo was included in the 1955 Brown and Gold College annual. Bonnie is standing, top row, fifth from the right (facing left).
  		Benkelman, Bonnie Jean ca 1955, Sigma Kappa Sorority With other members of the Western Michigan chapter of Sigma Kappa, 1955, Bonnie's Junior year of college
  		Benkelman, Bonnie ca 1955, Panhellenic Council During her junior year at Western Michigan, Bonnie was a member of the campus panhellenic council, representing the Sigma Kappa Sorority. Bonnie is seated on the bottom row, third from the right.
  		Benkelman, Bonnie ca 1956, Western Michigan University, Sigma Kappa Sorority Group photo from the Western Michigan 1956 annual, the "Brown and Gold." Bonnie is seated, in the bottom row, fifth from the left.
  		Benkelman, Bonnie Jean ca 1957 Western Michigan University Commencement Program, Cover This is the cover of the program
  		Benkelman, Bonnie Jean ca 1957 Western Michigan University Commencement Program, Page Three Bonnie graduated from Western Michigan University in January 1957, Cum Laude, receiving her Bachelor of Science degree Page 3 of the Commencement Program
  		Benkelman, Bonnie OTR certification Following her required coursework at Western Michigan College, along with an internship at the Shepherd Pratt Psychiatric Hospital of Baltimore, Bonnie was awarded the designation of Occupational Therapist, Registered. Her first employer was the Hines Veterens' Administration Hospital in Chicago. When she resigned from Hines in 1958, due to her upcoming wedding, she was classified as a GS-631-7 and was making an annual salary of $4,980. She later worked for the Scottish Rite Hospital for Crippled Children in Dallas.
  		Benkelman, Bonnie Jean ca 1957, Teacher Certificate and Oath State of Michigan Elementary Teaching Certificate and Oath, 1957-1961
  		Benkelman, Bonnie OTR Bonnie's Occupational Therapy Uniform Patch, saved from her Veteran's Administration Uniform worn prior to her marriage
  		Benkelman, Bonnie Jean ca 1956, Civil Service Rating Upon her acceptance of employment by the Veterans Administration in 1956, Bonnie was rated by the U. S. Civil Service Commission as a GS-5 70.
  		Benkelman, Bonnie Jean ca 1958, Passport Bonnie's first passport. Bonnie accompanied her Aunt, Ilo Smith, on a trip to Europe shortly before her marriage. She purchased the lace for her wedding veil while in Brussells.
  		Benkelman, Bonnie Jean ca 1958, Resignation from the Veterans Administration This notice of Personnel Action was generated on 1958 when Bonnie resigned from the Hines, Illinois Veterans Administration Hospital due to her upcoming marriage and move to Dallas
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
  		McLemore, Tom and Bonnie Family Home (1961-1962), Dallas Duplex This was the Duplex that Tom, Bonnie and Melinda lived in while in Dallas, in the early 1960's. It was not far from SMU.
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.

  
  

• Sources

  [S217] Michigan Department of Health, Certificate of Birth. [S1452] Strong, Melinda McLemore-Personal Knowledge of Immediate Family. [S38] State of Michigan, Marriage License, (Eaton County, Mich Marriage License of Ben F. Benkelman Jr to Avis A. Smith, No. 155). [S81] Family Register, The Holy Bible, National Bible Press, Philadelphia, Pa. Presented to Avis Smith by her parents, December 25, 1920.