Bonnie Bernice Thenhaus

Bonnie Bernice Thenhaus (Haines) of Belle, Missouri passed away peacefully on January 7, 2026, surrounded by her family. She was born April 8, 1949, and graduated from Belle High School in 1967.

Bonnie loved music, whether she was singing or dancing. In high school, she sang in the chorus and earned the nickname “Bubbles” for her performance in a school production and her bubbly personality. She was often seen in her go-go-boots and miniskirts.

She had a rebellious spirit, keeping her own mother on her toes and making her relatable and admired by every generation of children in the family. Bonnie admired anyone with a bit of spunk and was not afraid to go against the grain especially when defending her friends and family.

Graduating in an era of muscle cars and go-go boots, Bonnie and Dean shared a love for drag racing. Bonnie proudly owned a 1966 Red Mercury Comet Cyclone convertible and ran an impressive quarter mile. After courting and racing, Bonnie and Dean married in August of 1968 where they gave up fast cars for the high-speed frenzy of raising six children.

Together, Dean (Deer) and Bonnie (Antelope) embraced a pioneer, western lifestyle. She loved to wear fringe, lace, and jewelry. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, and canning, making everything from jellies to pickles with ease. Her family fondly remembers her canned venison as one of her most memorable culinary creations.

She cherished family above all else, always bringing loved ones together and making sure her children grew up knowing the importance of cousins and connection. She was the heart of family gatherings, planning celebrations and making sure traditions were passed down. She cherished being a mother and grandmother. She was close to her own mother and siblings. She was beloved by generations of nieces and nephews, acting as a mentor and second mother when needed. Her love was unconditional, never a transaction. She was a fierce protector and put her family first without hesitation, a true momma bear. She had the gift of gab and never met a stranger. Errands often turned into hours-long adventures because she treated everyone like an old friend. She had a keen ear for conversation unless it involved being told what to do.

Bonnie had a tremendous work ethic and engaged fully with her coworkers. She and Dean owned a window cleaning and janitorial supply business in Sedalia, MO before relocating to Belle in 1976. When Dean began working independently as a towing service and mechanic, Bonnie managed the accounting, finances, tax preparation, and supply runs for Dean’s Wrecker and Repair.

As her children grew older, Bonnie worked custodial positions at the University of Missouri-Rolla and for the St. James School District. She took pride in her work. She was known for her patience and skill, leaving floors gleaming to perfection. Later, she worked in assembly and production at The ToolRoom in Owensville, Lyn-Flex West making shoe soles for Easy Spirit Shoes, Briggs & Stratton in Rolla, and GDX in New Haven producing door seals for BMW, where she advanced to quality control. Despite a fear of flying, Bonnie traveled to North Carolina as a union steward to visit the BMW plant—a proud moment in her career. After retiring from full-time manual labor, she worked part-time at food pantries and thrift stores in St. James and Belle. She took pride in helping others and had a passion for vintage treasures.

Bonnie lived life with joy, laughter, and an open heart. Her love was unconditional, her spirit unforgettable, and her presence a gift to all who knew her. With hands that worked hard and a heart that loved deeply, she filled every room with warmth. Though she has left this world, her legacy of love, strength, and kindness will continue to live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her.

We will always love you mommy.

Survived by her husband of 57 years, Robert “Dean” Thenhaus, Married August 31, 1968, her six children Robert D. Thenhaus Jr., Karen S. Hand (Brian), Jeanie L. Abbett (James), Lyndon E. Thenhaus, Darrell L. Thenhaus, Sherri N. Werner (Cord) and her five grandchildren: Tyler Thenhaus, William Chayse Thenhaus, Preston W. Werner, Payton E. Werner, Silas G. Hand, her fur baby Buttercup, her siblings Marion “Delmar” Haines, Judy K. Stevens, Donna D. Hudson.

Preceded by Death by her father, Leonard J. Haines (1981) and mother, Pansy D. Ammerman (1989), her siblings, Danny L. Haines (1960), Debbie L. Haines (1971), Leonard Ernest “Ernie” Haines (1985), Patricia D. Benton (2011), Emerald L. Ammerman (2014)

Visitation for Bonnie will be on Saturday, January 17, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Sassmann’s Chapel in Belle. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m.