Vivian Marie Bonham

Vivian Marie Bonham, 93, of Beatrice, NE, answered her Lord’s call on Monday, July 8, 2019 at the Beatrice Good Samaritan Society.  She was born November 22, 1925 at the Mennonite Hospital in Beatrice. Vivian graduated from Beatrice High School in the class of 1943. She was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church, was the Sunday School secretary for several years, sang in the Church Chancel Choir from 1941 to 1999 and in the community choir doing the Messiah. Vivian enjoyed embroidery, sewing for charity on a 1925 singer, Swedish weaving, singing and yard work. She was a past member of the Girl Scouts, Women’s Chamber, Business and Professional Women, Wesleyan Fellowship, Eastern Star and was a 77-year member and past state president of the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War. Started her employment at First National Bank, Beatrice in 1943 as messenger, making a daily trip to Swift & Co., Cage County Courthouse, Burlington Depot, etc. to get bags of coin. Then she became the bank bookkeeper, who balanced all departments. Work was done in pen and ink, later ran the large proof machines prior to computers, retiring in 1969. Later she worked in the mail room at Beatrice Daily Sun. Vivian lived in her birth home for 88 years.   

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lee Dale Bonham (3/2/1973) and Marie Elizabeth Bonham (11/9/1957); brother, Major Carroll Dale Bonham (2004); brother, Ivan Bonham (1999); nephew, Lane Claire Bonham.

Survivors include her great-nephew, Dan James Bonham of Beatrice; great-great-niece, Kirsten Kimberly Bonham of Beatrice; cousins, Sheri Bonham of Lincoln, NE, Major Dwight David Bonham of CO, Larry and Mary Lee Edwards of CO, Rick and Patty Ediger of Gering, NE, and Sharlene and Bob Taylor of Phoenix, AZ; special friends, Don and Bev Ewer of Beatrice.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, July 11, 2019 at Centenary United Methodist Church of Beatrice with Pastor Mark Schutt officiating.  Interment will be in Evergreen Home Cemetery of Beatrice.  The body will lie in state one hour preceding services at the church on Thursday and not at the mortuary.  A memorial is suggested to Centenary United Methodist Church Choir Music or TV Ministry. www.harmanwrightmortuary.com Harman-Wright Mortuary of Beatrice is in charge of the arrangements.

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