Obituary of Bonnie Jean Shanks

Bonnie Jean Shanks, 84 of Centennial, Colorado, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 3, 2022.

Bonnie was born in Poughkeepsie, New York, and was the only child of Arthur and Rose Pinyerd. Bonnie lived all over the U.S. because her father was a career Navy Officer and she often bragged that she lived in every state but Hawaii, Alaska, Florida and Maine - her definition of the United States 4 corners. She was an avid swimmer and once swam across Lake Washington in Seattle.

Bonnie graduated from St. Luke’s School of Nursing in 1959. She began her career as an Emergency Room nurse, then went into Pediatric nursing and the last 18 years of her career was in Psychiatric Nursing, which she loved. She retired from nursing in 1991.

On December 18, 1960, she married Ernest Shanks in a small ceremony in Denver, Colorado. They briefly lived in South Dakota and soon moved to Littleton, Colorado, where they raised their daughters. They were Denver Bronco season ticket holders for 35 years, loved to golf, garden, and go on summer family vacations. For nearly 25 years they spent their winters in Scottsdale, Arizona, where they enjoyed the sunshine, golfing, happy hours with friends, and watch the Colorado Rockies Spring Training.

Bonnie was the Cherry Knolls nurse to all the kids in the neighborhood, kind, loving and had a witty sense of humor! She was a fun-loving, compassionate and loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was an avid shopper and spent time with friends, playing Bunko, attending neighborhood movie nights and of course she loved to garden. She was known for her homemade delicious Christmas goodies-fudge, peanut brittle, caramel log rolls and toffee, which will be missed.

Bonnie is survived by her husband of 62 years, Ernest, and their children Kari (Larry) Hall of Castle Rock, Co, Lori Shanks of Parker, CO and her beloved grandchildren Taylor Keller (32) of Parker, CO, Brady Keller (30) of Lakewood, CO, Tanner (Brook) Hall (29) of Castle Rock, CO and Chandler Hall (25) of Austin, TX. Bonnie was proceeded in death by her parents Arthur and Rose Pinyerd.

Celebration of Life at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bonnie's memory may be made to the Alzheimers Association 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601  act.alz.org

 

 

 

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