Stewart, Bonnie Jean

Nov 26, 1947 – Aug 7, 2026

On Friday, August 7, 2026, Bonnie Jean Stewart, 78, passed away in hospital in Spokane Washington due to complications from double pneumonia.

Bonnie was born November 26, 1947 in Spokane, WA, to Vernon Sr. and Vera Wigen of Greenacres, WA, the fourth of five children.  Bonnie spent most of her life in Spokane excluding time she spent as an Air Force wife, 1969 – 1976.  Bonnie graduated from Central Valley High School in 1966, where she was voted “Biggest Character”, a trait that followed her throughout her entire life.

In her younger years Bonnie enjoyed playing baseball with friends along with family trips to North Dakota to visit her mother’s family where she learned how to ride horses and steer tractors.  She was never one to step away from a good challenge. Bonnie knew the meaning of hard work.  Her first job was candling eggs at a neighbor’s farm and then she started working at the Spokane Valley Good Samaritan Center in meal preparation and washing dishes, just up the street from where she lived.

After graduation from CV, she enrolled in a keypunch class at Spokane Community College where she met her future husband (me).  After graduating from her class, she was hired by Spokane Steel Foundry, where she made many new life-long friends and was provided a valuable lesson from the owner of the foundry in regard to business ethics and knowledge of how you treat the customer.  In June 1969, her future husband, John K Stewart proposed to her, over the phone (real romantic, right).  Bonnie accepted, and she and John were blissfully married in Spokane on August 2, 1969.  Then they drove her VW Bug back to Belleville, Ill, near Scott AFB where John was stationed.  The landlords of the apartment they rented became lifelong friends and are the godparents to their 1st son.  We made many AF friends during this time and enjoyed spending time with them, due mostly to Bonnie’s Biggest Character trait!!  We even enjoyed a few bottles of Boone’s Farm Strawberry Hill with our friends along the way.  (Some of you will probably relate to this)

Over the next six years as an Air Force wife, she remained supportive of our new life style and adapted to the frequent moves to different AF bases.  Bonnie was always proactive in meeting fellow AF wives and starting strong relationships.  During this time Bonnie gave birth to our two sons:  Matthew J. Stewart on December 5, 1970 in Spokane, WA. and Brady S. Stewart in Scott AFB Hospital on October 28, 1972.

After Air Force life we moved back to Spokane to start a new journey.  Bonnie started working at the Spokane Steel Foundry again for a period of time and then went to work for Principal Financial Group as a Staff Assistant, working with Agents and their clients.  She enjoyed providing help in a professional and respectful manner.  Bonnie developed strong relationships with many of the people she worked with that have lasted throughout the years.

Bonnie lived for her family and would do anything to help them.  She loved her grandsons to the moon and back!!  She was always available to provide words of wisdom and a strong Nana-hug.  Bonnie always looked forward to spring-time so she could start purchasing lots and lots of flowers to decorate our patio. She enjoyed watching all the birds and bees hovering over and pollinating the plants.  Peaceful days!!  Bonnie also loved going camping, especially to the Glacier National Park region and the Oregon coast.  Being able to include grandsons when possible was an extra bonus.   

Bonnie is survived by her husband John K. Stewart of Spokane, WA; her two sons Matthew J. Stewart (Jolene) and Brady S. Stewart (Nicole) both of Spokane:  her four grandsons: Alexander M. Stewart (Shelby) of Missoula, MT; Cameron N. Stewart of Spokane; Nolan J. Stewart of Spokane; Elliot S. Stewart of Camp Pendleton, San Diego, CA; brothers, Donald Wigen Sr. (JoAnn) Spokane Valley, WA;  Vernon Wigen Jr. of Seattle, WA: sister Carole Bush of Spokane Valley, WA.; sister-in-law Dione Bishop of Spokane Valley, WA; numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.  She is also survived and sorely missed by her 4-legged family member Quincy.

She is preceded in death by her parents Vernon Sr. and Vera Wigen; her sister Donna Starkovich; and her brothers-in-law, Daryl Starkovich, Spencer Bush and Russ Bishop.

Bonnie fought the good fight and her suffering is over.  She will be deeply missed and loved forever, by family and friends alike.

A private inurnment will be held at 12:00 PM on August 28, 2026, followed by a Celebration of Life. Please check back for updates on details for Bonnie's Celebration of Life.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to your favorite charity in honor of Bonnie.