Bonnie Raney

TRAVERSE CITY — Bonnie Winona Raney, 94, of Traverse City, went to meet her Lord on Sunday, April 29, 2012.Born in Northport on Thursday, July 5, 1917, she was the daughter of Fred and Gertrude (Holton) Purkiss. She moved from Northport to Traverse City when she was in the fifth grade and graduated from Traverse City High School in 1935. Attending the Lewis-Chapin Business School, she was employed as assistant secretary for attorney Robert Murchie.On Saturday, June 5, 1937, she married Albert Raney at the Purkiss Gardens in Northport. She served as secretary and bookkeeper at various businesses until 1962, when she assisted Dr. E. F. Sladek in establishing the first Rehabilitation Department at Munson Medical Center. She retired in 1969.Bonnie was a member of the First Congregational Church for more than 50 years, actively taking part in many capacities and very active in the building of the new church. She was the president of the Women's Fellowship, president of the Grand Traverse Women's Fellowship and a member of the State Board. She was a volunteer at the First Congregational Church Thrift Shop until the spring of 2011.Left to mourn their loss is her daughter, Mona Kay (Richard) Beldin; sons, Charles (Darla) Raney and Howard Raney; her grandchildren, Conni Weese, Brenden (Janine) Raney, Heather (Mark) Kage, Kevin (Tricia) Raney, Jeremy (Billie) Raney, Keith Raney and Catherine "Katie" Raney. Also surviving are nine great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.Preceding her in death was her husband of 68 years, Albert; her sister, Iowna (Oral) Haywood, daughter-in-law, Patricia (Sterk) Raney; and grandson, Todd Charles Raney.A memorial service celebrating Bonnie's life will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 3, at First Congregational Church, with Dr. Gary Hogue officiating. Inurnment will take place at Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.Rather than flowers, the family would ask that Bonnie be remembered through memorial contributions to First Congregational Church or to Munson Healthcare Regional Foundation.Please share memories of Bonnie with her family by way of her online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Service.