Bonnie Beulah Howard

Bonnie Beulah Howard, 87, of Topeka, died Saturday, December 6, 2008. She was born on May 18, 1921 in Wellington, the only daughter and third of four children of Charles Edward Jackson and Beulah Patterson Jackson. She graduated from Wichita State University and Johns Hopkins School of Nursing and then served as an officer in the Army Nurse Corps during and after World War II. Bonnie met Boyd Wilks Howard, a friend of her brothers' from their childhood, while taking flying lessons and they were married July 2, 1948 in Wichita. They flew a plane together for their honeymoon, but were forced down by a thunderstorm and spent it in a small town in Kansas. Their first daughter, Diedre, preceded them in death. Subsequently Boyd and Bonnnie raised three children while Bonnie pursued a nursing career, eventually becoming Director of Nursing Services and Training Director for St. Joseph Hospital in Wichita. Bonnie received her MA in Psychology from Wichita State University in 1975. She moved to Topeka when she accepted a job with the Kansas State Board of Nursing, retiring from the agency in 1988. After her retirement, Bonnie traveled and joined and was active in the Woman's Club and the Discovery Shop, which raised funds for cancer research. Boyd preceded Bonnie in death on June 19, 1984. Bonnie is survived by a son, Boyd W. Howard and his wife, Lisa, of Wichita; two daughters, Lisa Howard of Lexington, KY and Jenny Howard of Topeka; three grandchildren, Charles Spaulding of Topeka and Kaitlyn and Matthew Howard of Wichita. Cremation has taken place. As per Bonnie's wishes, there are no services planned. Memorial contributions may be given to the Woman's Club, 5521 SW West Drive, Topeka, Kansas 66606 or Helping Hands Humane Society, 2625 NW Rochester Road, Topeka, Kansas 66617. Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel is in charge of arrangements. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabel.com.