Bonnie McGuine, 95, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at Maplewood of Sauk Prairie Memory Care Unit in Sauk City, WI.

Bonnie Mae Austin was born on Jan. 17, 1928, to the late Henry and Leta (Stucky) Austin on the Austin-Blaine Farm near Boscobel, WI. Bonnie originally attended a one room country school until her father's sudden death, forcing the family to sell the farm and move into town. Bonnie was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Boscobel. Bonnie graduated from Boscobel High School in May 1945. While in high school, Bonnie was a Reporting Correspondent for the Wisconsin State Journal. After graduation she attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison graduating in June 1950, with a B.S. Degree in Education and accepted a position at Sauk City High School teaching English that Fall.

Shortly after moving to Sauk City, Bonnie met her husband Jim McGuine, a High School teacher, counselor, and coach. The two were married at the St. Aloysius Catholic Church Rectory in December 1951, where she was an active member for many years to come; in 2017 Bonnie joined St. John's Lutheran Church. Bonnie left teaching to work at the Badger Army Ammunition Plant as a Ballistic Lab Technician until 1955 when they started their family. Together they had four children, Kathleen, Patrick, Timothy, and Maureen "Dolly". Jim passed away unexpectedly in September 1970. From that day forward, she became both parents for her children, with the kindness and support of neighbors and friends.

Bonnie continued to raise her children in the Sauk Prairie area, initially she worked at A&W while attending classes related to Library Sciences. During the next 35 years she worked in the Sauk-Prairie community and surrounding areas in various roles, most notably at the Sauk Prairie School District as an Elementary School Library Teaching Assistant. Other places of employment included Baraboo School District, Lands' End, and the Sauk Prairie Canoe Rental.

Bonnie and Jim shared their love of making every holiday special for their children, and she made sure that tradition continued for years to come. From the decorations to cutout cookies for 'every' holiday, birthday treasure hunts, Halloween ghost stories, Irish green carnations, playing games, cards, and puzzles, and the simple gesture of a $2 bill in the holiday card for the grandkids; she could always bring a smile to one's face. This even translated into her work at the school district (and her grandchildren's school after retiring) where children would love to gather to hear Bonnie reading holiday stories to them.

Bonnie was known by many for her love of angels, cardinals, reading, playing cards, musicals, and big band music. She was a shrewd card player, quick witted, and always there to share anything from a recipe to words of wisdom, and unprompted guidance. She understood and shared the importance of education and women's rights. To her family, she will also be remembered for her love of black coffee, baking, strawberry jam, canned pickles, peaches, and reading to her grandchildren. Additional hobbies included being an avid bridge player, lover of books, regular volunteer, and proud UW alumna.

Bonnie was a true advocate for her community and that included her commitment to volunteerism. For over 40 years, she served on many community committees and boards such as the Sauk City Public Library Board of Trustees, the Sauk Prairie Hospital Auxiliary, chairing the Red Cross Blood Drives, delivering Meals on Wheels, helping at the River Arts Center, and a long time Girl Scout Cookie Chairperson for the area. Also, of course, were the many bridge marathons she organized and attended in the area. Truly making the community a wonderful place to live and raise a family.

Bonnie's community spirit was always there to support and guide her children for their school and extracurricular events home and away, being a "regular" in the stands. She carried on with this enthusiasm later in life by regularly travelling across the Midwest to watch her grandchildren participate or compete in various events and activities.

She is survived by her four children and their spouses, Kathleen (Kevin) Ward, Fort Wayne, IN; Patrick (Marci) McGuine, Kennett Square, PA; Timothy (Jane) McGuine, Sauk City, WI; and Dolly (Jim) Johnson, Golden Valley, MN; 12 grandchildren; Katie Ward, Atlanta, GA; Sean (Erin) Ward, Fort Wayne, IN; Shannon McGuine, Chicago, IL; Colleen McGuine, Cincinnati, OH; Kelly McGuine, Denver, CO; Meghan McGuine, Cincinnati, OH; Eileen McGuine, La Crosse, WI; Austin (Bree) McGuine, Greenwood, IN; Molly (Zach) Gust, Clarksville, TN; Jack Johnson, Brooklyn, NY; Bryan Johnson, Minneapolis, MN; Kelly Johnson, Plymouth, MN; and two great grandchildren, Raylan McGuine and Cecilia Gust. Survivors also include her cousin (who was like a sister to her) Jean (Austin) Peterson, Ames, IA; nieces Darcy (Doug) Post, Boscobel, WI; Valerie (David) Atkinson, Turtle Lake, WI; nephew Chad (Jill) Austin, Wausau, WI; niece-in-law, Carol McGuine, Inver Grove Heights, MN; and a number of great nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Bonnie was preceded in death by her brother Edwin (Betty Ann) Austin; Brother-in-law Tom (Freda) McGuine; niece Cheryll VanMeter; nephews, Greg Austin, Terry McGuine; and her great granddaughter Lilly McGuine.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, April 13, 2023, from 4:00pm until 7:00pm at St. John's Lutheran Church, 100 Oak Street, Prairie du Sac, WI 53578. The Memorial Service will be held at 10:30am Friday, April 14, 2023, at St. John's Lutheran Church, with visitation being held from 9:30am until the time of service. The service may be live streamed at www.stjohnssaukprairie.org by clicking on 'Join Us Live for Worship' in the upper right corner. Interment will be held in the St. Aloysius Cemetery, Sauk City. The twelve grandchildren will serve as the Urn Bearers. Following interment, Bonnie's family invites family and friends in celebrating her life at the church for a luncheon.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Bonnie's name to Sauk Prairie Healthcare Foundation (foundation@saukprairiehealthcare.org).

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Maplewood of Sauk Prairie for the care and kindness they gave Bonnie over the past four plus years, Kevin and all the Agrace Hospice care givers assisting her during her final weeks, her primary care physician, Dr. McAuliffe, and numerous other health care providers.

Bonnie, thank you for being such a wonderful mother, aunt, grandmother, friend, and mentor, you will be missed, but your legacy will carry on!

online condolences may be made at hooversonfuneralhomes.com

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