Lavonne "Bonnie" Christine Helmick's Obituary
Lavonne "Bonnie" Christine (Veldhouse) Helmick, age 80, went to her Heavenly home on March 21, 2025, at the MercyOne Hospital in Centerville, Iowa.
Bonnie was born on February 25, 1945, to Dale and Jennie (Pogge) Veldhouse at their home in Wright County, Iowa. She graduated from Boone Valley High School in Renwick, Iowa, in 1963. After graduation, she moved to Des Moines. While working and playing basketball for Look Magazine, she met the love of her life, Keith Helmick, who she adored until the end. They were married on January 31, 1964, at the EUB Church in Moravia and were later blessed with six children: Paula, Penny, Patty, Peggy, Pam, and Phil.
Bonnie worked as a substitute cook for the Moravia School system before making a career with the United States Postal Service. She retired for the USPS in 2012 as the Exline Postmistress.
Bonnie had a servant's heart which was reflected in her decades of service to her community. She served in various roles within the Lighthouse Church of the Nazarene including Sunday school teacher, choir, and Compassionate Ministry team. She also served outside the church, volunteering for Hospice and making meals for anyone in need. In addition, Bonnie cherished spending time with her family and friends, especially at the Iowa State Fair where she spent many summers camping with her children and grandchildren and working the campground gates. Keith and Bonnie's dedication to their community was honored by their selection as the Moravia Fall Festival King Queen in 2016 as well as the Homecoming Hero's in 2021.
Bonnie is survived by her loving husband, Keith, of 61 years; her children, Paula (Steve) Kopf, Penny (Jerry) Kutzler, Patty (Marty) Brown, Peggy (Roger) Johnson, Pam (John) Freshwater, Phil (Rachael) Helmick, and a bonus son Jeremy (Angie) Rogers; 17 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and numerous extended family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, sisters Joann Perlongo, Roberta Eekhoff, and infant sister, Carol Veldhouse.
Visitation for Bonnie will be from 12:00-7:00PM at Thomas Funeral Home in Moravia on Wednesday March 26, 2025, with family present to greet friends from 5:00-7:00PM. Funeral services will be held at 11:00AM on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Lighthouse Church of the Nazarene in Moravia.
Memorials in honor of Bonnie have been established to Moravia First Responders or EveryStep Hospice, and may be mailed to Thomas Funeral Home, ATTN: Helmick Family, 501 North 18th Street, Centerville, Iowa 52544.
Condolences may be shared online at www.thomasfh.com or www.facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome. The funeral service will be live streamed on Lighthouse Church of Nazarene YouTube channel.
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