Ordinary people: Native serves community well
Staff writer
Hillsboro's Bonnie (Schafer) Funk knows all the ins and outs of the Hillsboro area — that's because she has been here all her life.
Bonnie was born on a farm four miles east of Durham, the daughter of the late Mike and Marie Schafer.
She was raised as though she was an only child, since her sister is 18 1/2 years older than she.
"My mother had me around age 40, which was a shock to her since she didn't have any children for almost 20 years," Bonnie said smiling.
In 1950, the family moved from the farm to Hillsboro when Bonnie was 10 years old.
She attended the Hillsboro schools, all the way through her junior year in high school.
At age 16 and after completing her junior year of high school, Bonnie and her future husband Kenneth Funk wanted to get married.
"My parents signed for me to get married, but made me promise to go back and graduate from high school."
The couple were married June 16, 1957.
Bonnie and husband Kenneth did not renege on that promise. And Bonnie sought to go back to school and get her diploma.
She described her high school graduation situation as a rather unique one.
"I wanted to go back to school, but back then they did not allow married people to go to school," Bonnie said.
"Boy, have things changed now! You can not only be married, but you can be sticking way out here pregnant and still go to school," she exclaimed.
Bonnie said the superintendent H.B. Kliewer contacted her and found a way Bonnie could finish her high school education and graduate.
According to Bonnie, Kliewer set up a correspondence course with Kansas University. She lacked only three units in order to graduate. Bonnie would take her tests to Kliewer, and he would send them to KU.
In 1958, Bonnie completed her requirements for graduation.
Since Bonnie was not allowed to attend school during the year, she chose not to take part in the graduation ceremonies.
"That was the stubbornness in me, I guess," she said.
She received the official copy of her diploma later.
That summer, she was approached by Kliewer to become secretary at the high school. She worked there for two years until her first and only child, Kent, was born.
She was a stay-at-home mom and did the bookkeeping for her husband's construction business, Funk Construction.
"I was also the runner — 'go get this and go get that'," Bonnie said. "It was great because everywhere I went I was able to take Kent with me."
After 20 years in the construction business the couple sold out and began farming in the late 1970s. They became background cattle ranchers and grain farmers.
In the 1980s, the economy was not good especially for those in the farming industry. Bonnie said that she needed to work, so she began working as a clerk at Cardie's Corner in 1983. Cardie's building was demolished later and replaced with the current Ampride building.
"While working at Cardie's, Ray Franz of Ray's Thriftway, (now Dale's Supermarket) asked if I would be interested in working in the meat department," Bonnie said.
So, Bonnie began working at Ray's in 1984 and continued until 1997.
"I decided to quit after 13 years and go back and help my husband on the farm full time."
Along with helping out on the farm, Bonnie manages to keep quite busy as a volunteer bookkeeper and treasurer for the Et Cetera Shop in Hillsboro.
As a member of First Mennonite Church since 1957, she has served as church treasurer since January of 1992 to the present.
"It is a joy to do both jobs," Bonnie said. "It keeps my mind active, and I can use my talents."
She has also served in various other capacities in the church such as teaching Sunday school and serving as its superintendent; teaching VBS; and serving on the social committee. She and husband Ken currently serve as greeters for the church.
"I believe in doing things for your community and church — to me that's important," she said.
As a member of the Tampa Legion Auxiliary, Bonnie has served as chair and secretary of that organization through the years.
"This keeps me in contact with people of the area where I was born," Bonnie said.
In her busy life, Bonnie finds time to read and work on her computer that she purchased about three years ago.
"I am as busy as ever," Bonnie said. "I am still actively involved with the farm. I'm not retired — just tired sometimes."
The couple's son Kent and his wife Brenda live near Hiawatha, where he is head engineer at RHS Inc. They have one son Leland, who is 16.
Bonnie has a niece, Cindy Friesen, who she said is like a daughter to their family. Friesen is a school teacher in St. John.
As a response to what she would like to be known for, Bonnie replied, "As being a friendly, compassionate, and caring person."
"So many hurting people in the world — they need an extra hug and a smile," she said. "Bring that to people and you get so much back."
"I've had a good life, richly blessed with a good family, community, and good friends."
