Bonnie Jo Engle

Bonnie Jo Engle, lovingly known as “BJ”, was welcomed to her heavenly home on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at the age of 75. Her passing was peaceful during an afternoon nap, recovering from heart surgery and breathing complications. Bonnie is survived by her husband of 54 years, Michael G. Engle and her son Thomas G. Engle. She was preceded in death by Otto Jr. and Bernice Gallup. Beloved wife and mother, married the love of her life on September 6, 1969, who she met while attending Michigan State University. Bonnie was a junior majoring in English education. From 1969 until 1978, Bonnie and Mike lived in Ann Arbor where she worked as a practical nurse at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital. Her medical training enabled her to make a career change to a legal secretary with Devine and Devine, attorneys who specialized in hospital legal matters. Due to Mike’s employment being transferred to the San Francisco Bay area in 1978, they resided in Foster City and Danville, Ca. Due to her experience, she worked as an executive secretary for Centex Homes and Eco Lab, both Fortune 500 companies. Bonnie was baptized and conferred at St. Gregory’s in San Mateo. In 1996, Bonnie wanted to come back to Traverse City where she was born, attended and graduated from TC Central. One of her wishes was to have a farm in Leelanau County close to Maple City. In 1997, they purchased a small, former Dairy farm on County Road 641 to raise Hereford cattle, do her gardening and grow roses, that she loved. In addition, Bonnie and Mike saw a need for good residential housing, as equal partners they formed Villager Homes Inc from 1997 – 2008. They built and sold over 48 homes in the Traverse area. Having no children, God granted her a blessing of the opportunity of adopting a little boy on September 15, 2005 just born, who they named Thomas Gerald Engle. From the second day of his birth they took him everywhere, never knew a baby sitter and at her age of 56, bought baby furniture. On several occasions people would comment what a happy grandson you have, Bonnie would respond “he is my son”. In 2010, when the economy and housing collapsed, they decided to retire and focus on their farm activities, complete remodeling of their 1906 farm house, the gardening, chickens and roses, keeping her house and cooking a full Thanksgiving and Christmas meal for her family. Bonnie loved keeping up on all national politics and especially enjoyed listening to Rush Limbaugh. From the time Bonnie moved to Leelanau County, she thought it was the most beautiful place to live, and felt very fortunate of having the opportunity and blessing to live here. So she says thank you to all my friends and neighbors. Services will be arranged for at a later date. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Father Fred Foundation. Please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to share your memories and condolences with the family.

Bonnie Jo Engle

May 24, 1949 - July 10, 2024