Bonnie Edith Minthorn Graham

On another beautiful day on Miller Creek, April 9, 2016, Bonnie Edith Minthorn Graham passed from this life as she rested in her bed. Her home and surroundings just outside Missoula had been her most cherished of places, though love of the forest of her childhood never waned.

Bonnie was born at Half Moon near Columbia Falls on the 30th of August, 1932, the eldest of three daughters born to Joseph and Elsie Minthorn. From this devoutly religious family, Bonnie departed for a church-affiliated college, Graceland, in Iowa. From there she ventured back to Montana for a teaching job in Lavina.

Bonnie met Charlie Graham on the street in Lavina following the wedding of mutual friends and their own wedding followed in 1953. Their journey together included four children, three of them surviving her. The early years, filled with university courses, strip houses, children, Charlie's railroad jobs, gardening, canning food – all were typical of the times following the Korean War. Bonnie and Charlie exemplified the times in their habits and goals and both could stretch a dime a long ways.

The Miller Creek years began after the last child was born. Bonnie gloried in her chickens and pigs and huge gardens. After a move to the home she helped build on Miller Creek, Bonnie taught piano to kids and adults living in the valley.

Throughout most of Bonnie's life, she remained active and involved in her church, now known as the Community of Christ. In the same spirit, she became an active volunteer at the Missoula Food Bank, Hillside Nursing Home as an ombudsman, and any number of other places where she could commit a bit of her talent, many times as a pianist.

Her passions, aside from nature, ran to the creative. She could play piano by ear and well, for fun or to teach, and was her cellist daughter's long time accompanist. She could draw and paint, but was most known for countless quilts and other items sold at craft fairs, after which she donated the proceeds to her favorite charities. When she wasn't feeding her "pets" or watering the garden and fruit trees, she was off traveling with Charlie. They toured much of the world through agriculture-related trips and later they joined Friendship Force.

Bonnie is survived by children, Marina Graham of Billings, Rod Graham of Independence, Missouri, Gwen Howland of Sequim, Washington, and five grandchildren between them, all boys, and one great-grandson. Her two surviving sisters, Neta Nelson in Clackamas, Oregon, and Alta Stephens in Independence, remain with many cherished cousins and family members residing throughout the country.

Private family services will be held in June on the family property.


Read Bonnie Edith Graham's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.