Bonnie Rose (Lillehaug) Dawson Eller

Bonnie Rose (Lillehaug) Dawson Eller passed away on Wednesday, June 11, 2008, at the age of 80. She died at the Dalton Gardens, Idaho, home of her daughter and son-in-law, Sue and Val Millard, after a short bout with cancer.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents and a daughter-in-law Catherine (Jim) Dawson.

Bonnie was born July 21, 1927, in Lane, S.D., to the late Bertel and Beryl (Spracklin) Lillehaug.

When Bonnie was 1 year old the family moved to Omaha, Neb.

While in her teens, the family moved to Bremerton, Wash.

While working in the Bremerton Naval Yard Bonnie met and married sailor Allan R Dawson.

From that union a daughter Sue Ellen and two sons Allan Russell Jr. “Russ” and James Bert were born.

Bonnie and Allan were divorced in 1960.

In 1960 Bonnie married Raymond A. Eller. Bonnie became a mother to stepson Terry Eller and stepdaughter Judy (Eller) Erickson.

Bonnie Rose was first a wife, then a mom, grandmother and great-grandmother. To her, family meant everything.

She was an avid gardener, photographer, fisherwoman (she caught the record 1960 North American Kamloops Rainbow Trout weighing 32 pounds, 9 ounces from Lake Pend Oreille). She was also a hunter.

Bonnie was a savvy businesswoman who helped her husband Ray operate Eller Distributing in Sandpoint from 1960 to 1974.

Bonnie also worked as waitress at The Hurschell’s Litehouse in Hope, and Connie’s Diner in Sandpoint.

She also sold Tupper-ware and was an Avon representative in Sandpoint and Clark Fork for many years.

Bonnie and Ray lived in Sandpoint until 1974 when they sold their business. From 1974 to the time of her death, they called Clark Fork their home town, with snow birding in Florida and California.

Bonnie is survived by her husband, Ray Eller of Clark Fork; daughter, Sue (Val) Millard of Dalton Gardens; her stepdaughter, Judy Eller; sons Russ(Colene) Dawson of Clark Fork and Jim Dawson of Redmond, Ore.; and stepson, Terry Eller of Sandpoint; sisters and brother, Arlene Engel of Sequim, Wash., Verda Stroh of Bremerton, Wash., Alvin (Marcelle) Lillehaug of Seattle, Wash., and Bette Ann (Larry) Burkhart of Gig Harbor, Wash.; grandchildren Sam (Kathy) Millard, Brian (Dana) Millard, Jeff (Melissa) Dawson, Tim (Tana) Dawson, Lucas Dawson, Kris (Tristan) Dawson, Shari (Ken) Kenoche, Dexter (Liz) Vogel, Corey (Carolyn) Vogel, Parnel Vogel, Sarah (Paul) Wilmot, and Brandon Eller; and great-grandchildren Jessica, Jacob and Alyssa Millard; Catherine, James McConnell and Lucas Dawson, Trevor Masterson, Brandon Hausladen, Tessa and Connery Vogel, Zachery Johnson, Kaden, Gatlin and Lily Wilmot.

Bonnie is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Bonnie touched the hearts of many people in her life and will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

The family wishes to send a special thank you to the staff at Hospice of North Idaho.

Without their help Bonnie would not have been able to die with dignity at home with her loved ones.

The family would also like to thank the many friends and family who came to visit, called or sent flowers and cards to Bonnie.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation in Bonnie’s name to Hospice of North Idaho.

A memorial will be held at 7 p.m. on July 3, 2008, in Clark Fork at the Clark Fork Methodist Church, W. Second Street.

Yates Funeral Home in Coeur d’Alene is in charge of arrangements.