Kathleen McGlynn Laumeyer, known to all as Bonnie, passed peacefully from this life on March 28, 2018, in the company of two daughters and the loving words of her son, who told her she “was perfect.”
Bonnie was born, the third of four children and the only daughter, to Mary and Bill McGlynn on October 30, 1930 in Sydney, Montana. She grew up on the ranch that her parents had homesteaded, where she rode horses, shot rattlesnakes, and learned to can all the food the family would eat in the long winters. Their home was fueled by coal they dug themselves and never had running water. Although the family was objectively poor, she described their life as full of family, music and hard work. Bonnie was a loving daughter, who was deeply connected to both parents and the sister who kept her brothers connected.
Bonnie graduated from Savage High School where her mother was a teacher and spent an extra year on the ranch, raising cattle to pay for her college education at Northern Montana College in Havre, Montana. Although she had dreams of becoming a doctor, she could afford the education to become a medical secretary. At Havre, she met the love of her life, Bob Laumeyer. They were married on August 31, 1953 in Miles City Montana, where Bonnie was working as a medical secretary.
Bonnie fought against medical odds to have her four children; Mary born in Missoula, Barbara and Jean, born in Choteau and Robert, born in Phoenix, Arizona. She loved them deeply and brought music, laughter and many, many feasts into their lives.
The family moved to Boulder Montana in 1970 and purchased the home that Bonnie had always wanted. Bonnie completed requirements for her B.A. degree from Carroll College, followed by a career of teaching and medical secretary at BRS&H (Boulder River School & Hospital, now known as the Montana Developmental Center). Bonnie and Bob retired in 1987 and spent many happy years as Snow Birds in Sun City, AZ. They enjoyed an active retirement with bridge games, rockhounding and mini-golf. Bonnie enjoyed singing in the SC Chorus, learning to do stained glass and traveling to welcome grandchildren.
Bonnie is preceded in death by her parents, Mary Speer McGlynn and William Joseph McGlynn; her brothers: Lynn, Terence (Terry) and Larry McGlynn; and a grandchild, Charlie Miner. She is survived by her husband Robert (Bob) Laumeyer; her children Mary Runkel (Robert Runkel), Barbara Miner, Jean Laumeyer (Mike O’Leary) and Rob Laumeyer (Kristin); and grandchildren Anne and Kate Runkel, Tom Miner and Ben Johnson, Alex, Kathleen (Katie) and Bobby O’Leary and Amanda and Robert Laumeyer.
Special thanks are given to Mary Runkel for her daily devotion and care during Bonnie’s last 10 years. She and the whole Runkel family allowed her last years to be as full of love and care as she made all of those she touched throughout her life.
She will be loved and remembered. We were privileged to share in her “memories of a good life.”
A Vigil Service will be held on Thursday, April 5, at 7 p.m. at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Boulder. Mass will be said on Friday, April 8, at 10 a.m. at St. Catherine’s. Burial will follow at Boulder Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers consider donations to MSU Northern, northernalumnifoundation.org. On website use drop down menu for memorial or P.O. Box 7751, Havre, MT 59501; or Montana Food Bank, 5625 Expressway Missoula, MT 59808, mfbn.org.
K&L Mortuaries is assisting with the arrangements.
