Bonnie R. Franklin

Bonnie R. Franklin (nee Staal)

Bonnie Rae Franklin, age 84, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on October 21, 2025.

Bonnie was born on September 8, 1941, in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, to Arthur and Alice (nee Reichert) Staal.

She was a 1959 graduate of Pewaukee High School.

On March 17, 1959, she married Bernard C. Franklin, after her sister-in-law Mary encouraged them to elope. They drove to Illinois, and the rest is history. They were happily married for 66 years.

Bonnie enjoyed sewing, crafting and entertaining in her home. She loved serving in her church wherever she was needed. Her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She will be sadly missed by: her husband, Bernie; daughters Lori Franklin and Lisa (Mark) Jorgensen; her grandchildren Adam Meissner, Holly (Tom) Sweet, Luke (Kayla) Meissner, Alyssa (David) Miller, Brianna Gohde, Jordan (Olivia) Meissner, Christian Jorgensen, Connor Jorgensen;  eight great grandchildren; her sister Lynette Batchelor; and sister-in-law Lynda Franklin along with many nieces, nephews, family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Patricia Zillmer and Diane Hustad, brothers Darvin Staal and Carl Staal, son-in-law Jeffrey Meissner.

A heartfelt thank you for the kind and compassionate care she received at Jefferson Memory Care and with Rainbow Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Rainbow Hospice, 147 W Rockwell St., Jefferson, WI 53549.

A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Faith Baptist Church of Oconomowoc with Rev. Jonathan Anderson presiding. Visitation will be held from 12:00 PM until the time of service at the church. Bonnie will be laid to rest at St. Luke’s Cemetery in Rome in a private family service.