Bonnie Lee Thordahl

Bonnie L. (Beaver) Thordahl passed away at home on January 19,2026. She was born on March 11, 1943, in Gowanda, New York, to Howard L. and Elizabeth J. (Amann) Beaver. Bonnie grew up in Gowanda alongside her younger sister, Barbara. After reconnecting with her high school sweetheart, Jim Thordahl, Bonnie married him on June 27, 1964, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Gowanda. Their marriage marked the beginning of a life adventure, taking them to distant places and creating cherished memories together.

Bonnie and Jim’s journey began in Biloxi, Mississippi, before the Air Force sent them to Scotland, where their son, James Bjorn II, was born. The family was soon relocated to Wheelus Air Base on the Mediterranean coast in Libya, North Africa. When it came time to deliver their daughter, Johanne Bjorn, Bonnie traveled alone to Germany. Throughout her life, Bonnie fondly remembered Scotland and Wheelus as her favorite places to live. After returning to the United States, the family was stationed in Kansas for four years. During Jim’s tour in Korea, Bonnie and the children returned to Gowanda. The couple completed their Air Force career with assignments in California.

While at Beale Air Force Base, Bonnie began a 22-year career in elementary education. Starting as a playground supervisor, she eventually became the administrator for mandated testing at the Lancaster School District, retiring in 2002. Bonnie also taught English as a Second Language (ESL) to immigrant students, reflecting her passion for helping others. Her dedication to education extended beyond her professional life, as she served on the school board for her children’s private high school.

Bonnie was known for her love of hosting holiday parties, with Christmas holding a special place in her heart since childhood. She made every Christmas morning magical for her family. Family was always her primary focus, and her daughter Johanne reflected, “In any house, Mom made it feel like I was home.”

Bonnie loved the beach and made annual family vacations memorable, especially with her tradition of hosting bingo games with fabulous prizes. No one called a game quite like Grandma. The family’s grandest vacation was in Hawaii to celebrate Bonnie and Jim’s 50th wedding anniversary, along with other romantic getaways to Hawaii and Florida. Bonnie also enjoyed watching college football, with Notre Dame as her favorite team. She attended games at Notre Dame while her son and grandson were students there, as well as in California, Arizona and Colorado.

In 2019, Bonnie and Jim embraced a new adventure by moving to the forested mountains of Prescott, Arizona, where they enjoyed life in a lovely home on a hill. Bonnie faced isolation during the COVID pandemic and endured declining health following a hip fracture in 2023.

Bonnie is survived by her husband, Jim; her children, James (Mauree) of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Johanne of San Clemente, California; her grandsons, Jacob Thordahl (Emily) of Albuquerque, Kyle Thordahl of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Riley Walker of San Clemente; and her great-grandchildren, Jones and Margot. She is also survived by her sister Barbara (Charles) Weber of Perrysburg, New York; Barbara’s daughters, Wendy (Jeremy) Luce of Gowanda and Brandy Weber of Perrysburg; and grand-nephew McCoy Luce, who was a special phone-pal for years.

A monument honoring Bonnie stands in Pine Grove Cemetery in Gowanda. Her ashes will be buried at sea off the coast of Dana Point, California, within sight of her former residence.