Bonnie Bell (Gustafson) Nelson passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on August 18, 2022. She was 91 years old.

Bonnie is survived by her husband Rex Nelson of 70 years.  Both Bonnie and Rex resided at the DeKalb County Nursing Home. She is survived by her three children, Brad (Malorie) Nelson of Kingston, Cynthia (Kris) Swangren of Rockford and Randy (Teri) Nelson of Genoa, seven grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents, Morris and Helen Gustafson and her brother, William Gustafson.

Other survivors include her brother, Curt (Sandy) Gustafson of Belvidere, her sister, Barb Gustafson of Genoa and sister-in-law, Evelyn Gustafson of DeKalb.

Family was always very important to Bonnie, she was often the person that family members went to for advice or comfort.  She enjoyed traveling with her husband and their many friends.  She liked getting together with extended family for special occasions, dinners and picnics.

Bonnie was born August 28, 1930 in Sycamore Illinois.  She graduated from Sycamore High School in 1948 and went on to get her cosmetology license at the Rockford School of Beauty.  She enjoyed making crafts and gardening.  She was a long time member of the Genoa Garden Club and held multiple offices within the organization. She was an excellent cook and the family loved eating her delicious meals.

As a young girl, you would often see her riding her horse or helping her dad tend to farm animals on their family farm in Sycamore. Housekeeping, however, wasn't her specialty.  In later years Bonnie raised quarter horses and dogs, mostly poodles, on their farm in Kingston.  She loved to read and solve all types of puzzles. She welcomed visits from her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Seeing the kids put her in her happy place. She was a very caring and proud grandmother.

Those who knew Bonnie, knew she hated being fussed over and would rather give than receive. In lieu of funeral services, and to honor Bonnie, a memorial fund has been established through Slater-Butala Funeral Home.  The funds will be divided between the Genoa Garden Club and The Barn on Baseline.

Please send cards or memorials for the family to Slater-Butala Funeral Home, 132 W. Main St., PO Box 8, Genoa, IL. 60135.

To sign the online guest book, go to www.ButalaFuneralHomes.com