Bonnie Lucille Tuning was born January 30, 1934, northwest of Hayes, South Dakota, in Stanley County, the third of four children born to Frank and Clara (Renkel) Tuning. When she was two years old the family home burned to the ground, and she moved with her family to a ranch northeast of Midland, where she attended Little Prairie Dog School northeast of her home, grades one through three. She then attended Midland School graduating in 1952. She roomed with several other girls at Mrs. Lammon's home in the early grades and later with her sister, Gladys Holden. During her high school years, she and her brother Bob drove to Midland School.
In the summers during high school she drove truck for her older brother, Everette, hauling hay, gravel, livestock and what ever was needed. She also skinned cats and ran the combine.
After graduation she worked in Midland as a waitress at Mom's Cafe for Mrs Illian. She also worked at the Seven Mile Corner and for Duffy's Cafe in Ft. Pierre before working at the Quinn Hospital under Dr. Ole Hvam.
On October 2, 1955 she was united in marriage to Raymond A. Royer of Milesville, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Rapid City. They were blessed with three children, Cindy L., Robert A. and Raymond E. They lived mostly in Philip, but were on construction crews, building roads most of the summers and lived in several different places around the country wherever the construction jobs took them.
In Philip she worked at the laundromat for Les Baker and as a maid and waitress at the Senechal Hotel for several years. She also worked as a bartender at the Dakota Bar and 73 Bar. She worked for thirteen years at the Cottonwood Bar for Red and Lois Pigsley. She had been secretary of the bowling leagues and belonged to several pool leagues, attending state five times. She was a past member of the Midland American Legion Auxiliary.
In 1983 she and a partner leased the Buckhorn Bar at Cottonwood which they ran for two years. While in Cottonwood she was the City Finance Officer. She then moved to Wall and worked at the Badlands Bar and worked several years at the Plains Motel for Duane Peters.
Bonnie had previously survived a heart attack, colon cancer and a stroke. Her loves were her family, horses, country music, dancing and pitch.
Grateful for having shared her life are her daughter, Cindy Nelson and her husband Terry of Britton, South Dakota, and their sons, Dustin Nelson of Willmar, Minnesota, and Robert Nelson of Britton; her son Ray E. Royer of Rapid City, and his son Jeremy Royer and his wife, Jamie and their daughter, Jayda Royer, all of Sioux Falls; her sister Gladys Holden of Rapid City; her brother Bob Tuning of Nampa, Idaho; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Bonnie was preceded in death by Raymond A. Royer; her thirteen year-old son, Robert "Bobby" Royer on May 27, 1971; her father Frank in 1972; her mother Clara in 1988; her brother Everette in 1991; three nephews, Kenny Holden in 1971, Lee Tuning in 1958 and Rocky Tuning in 1982.
Funeral services were held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 9, 2008, at the First Lutheran Church in Wall, with Pastor Monty Dell officiating.
Interment was in the Masonic Cemetery of Philip.
A memorial is established.
Memorials may be directed to Cindy Nelson, 905 6th St., Britton, SD 57430, or Ray Royer 3855 S. Hwy. 79 #25, Rapid City, SD 57701.
Arrangements are with the Rush Funeral Chapel of Wall.
FUNERAL SERVICES
Saturday, February 9, 2008 – 2:00 p.m.
First Lutheran Church
Wall, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Monty Dell
MUSIC
Mary Kay Wilson – Organist
Congregational Hymns
“Amazing Grace”
“Rock of Ages”
USHERS
Darwin Haerer – Dan Dartt
PALLBEARERS
Jeremy Royer – Ray E. Royer
Vern Omdahl – Terry Peters
Craig Weber – Mark Brucklacher
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota
Guest Book
Ray,Cindy and family,
I am so sorry of the loss of your mom,its hard to try to believe she is truly in a better place.I always have thought of Bonnie as a wonderful person,Mom and Grandma.She took great care of Jeremy,whether we were gone somewhere or just left him in her care she always had great love for him, we always new her as "Grammy".I feel bad that our grand-daughter Jayda didn't get to spend more time with Grammy Royer but the times spent will always be treasured.I will always remember Bonnie for the best ever fried chicken and mashed potatoes and gravy,good tasting kool-aid.She always liked to play lots of different kinds of solitare and looked forward to doing the daily crossword puzzles in the R.C.Journal.May you hold the great memories she gave us all.And may time heal the sorrow.Take care and our prayers are with you.
Love,Cindy
~ Cindy Kerns
Philip,SD (2/6/2008)
Cindy-Terry, Ray-Jamie and families,
Sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. She will always hold a special place in our hearts. She will also be missed dearly at our family reunions. We are sorry that we cannot make it to the funeral as we have to be in Aberdeen for our son's track & field "Parent's Day". We will be thinking of you with our love and sympathy.
~ Bruce & Karen Royer
Murdo, SD (2/6/2008)
Dear Cindy, Ray & Jeremy & families, We are saddened after reading in the paper the passing of Bonnie. Our deepest sympathy. Words aren't enough to console you at this time. I have many fond and fun memories of our families doing things together when were younger. The days of taking care of you while our parents did their things. Your Mom and Grandmother has a very special place in my heart. I loved her as a friend and as part of our family. Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you. God Bless. Love Ralph & Cathy
~ Ralph & Cathy Fiedler
2130 Ellen St Sturgis, S. D. (2/6/2008)
Dear Cindy, Ray & Jeremy & Families. We are so sorry to learn of Bonnie's passing.
Bonnie will always have a special place in our hearts. Rosi and I always tried to stop and see her when we went through Wall to visit Rosi's mother in Rapid City.
We will miss not being able to stop and chat with her for a while when we go through Wall.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the family.
We feel bad we were not able to get back to the funeral, but our thoughts were with you all day Saturday.
Lloyd, Rosi & Family & Bonnie Fedderson
~ Lloyd & Rosi Royer Family & Bonnie Fedderson
1076 Windsor Ct Waukee, IA 50263 (2/6/2008)
To the family of Bonnie Royer:
A Better Place
She’s in a better place right now
Than she’s ever been before;
All pain is gone; she’s now at rest;
Nothing troubles her anymore.
It’s we who feel the burden of
Our sadness and our grief;.
We have to cry, to mourn our loss,
Before we get relief.
We know we’ll reconnect with her
At the end of each life’s road;
We’ll see her cherished face again
When we release our earthly load.
You're in my thoughts and prayers,
Tonda Ellis and family
~ Tonda (Jacob) Ellis
Sioux Falls, SD (2/6/2008)