Bonnie Ziemann, 74 of Gering, Nebraska passed away Saturday, October 5, 2019 at her home. Her graveside service will be held on Friday, October 11, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Fairview Cemetery in Scottsbluff with Pastor Tim Hebbert officiating. Visitation will be Thursday from 3-7pm at Gering Memorial Chapel. Memorials may be given to Pup/Cat Backpacks, Panhandle Humane Society or Festival of Hope. Online condolences may be left at www.geringchapel.com.
Bonnie was born on January 9, 1945 in Scottsbluff, Nebraska to Edward and Louise (Joder) Betz. She received her GED in 1981and her Associates Degree from Union College in Lincoln. She married Vern Ziemann, Jr in 1962. From this union they had one daughter Ronda Jean. They divorced 7 years later but she remained close with her in-laws Vern and Dorothy Ziemannuntil their deaths.
She was a member of Salem Congregational Church as a child.
Bonnie worked at the Sheriff’s Department in Gering, Swift & Co as a secretary and many years at Community Action Agency in Gering.
Bonnie was campaign manager for Bob Kerrey in 1982 where he was successfully elected as Nebraska’s governor. Governor Kerrey offered her a job in Lincoln where she moved and became the Deputy Director of the Department of Energy for 30+ years. She retired in 2014 from the DOE. She returned to Gering to be closer to her family.
Bonnie’s pride and joy were her two granddaughters Whitney and Holley Roth and her dogs (Muffin, Izzy and Betsy). She was an avid Husker and WNCC volleyball fan. She was a great painter, loved crafting with her sisters and making wreaths. Shehad a green thumb and could grow any flower in her yard which was obvious when you drove by and saw her beautiful yard and flowers.
She is survived by her daughter Ronda (Ted) Roth, granddaughters Whitney Roth and Holley (EJ) Bjorling, sisters Judy (Larry) Lindquist, Jan (John) Cortinez, Shelly (Jerald) Meisner, Lori Littell & fiancé Mark Futch, brother Rob Betz and sister-in-law Nina Betz, 13 nieces and nephews, and 19 great nieces and nephews.
Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents Ed & Louise Betz, brother Don Betz, infant sister Carol Betz and in-laws Vern & Dorothy Ziemann.
