Bonnie Lou Hower’s journey through this adventure we call life came to a sudden end Friday, January 4th, 2019. Bonnie was born to Robert J. and Edna Louise Hower on July 23rd, 1948 in Akron, Ohio, the second of six children. She spent her youth running through the Bavarian countryside where her father managed the Armed Forces Recreation Center in Garmische Partenkirchen. Bonnie’s experiences in Germany left a lasting impact on her, you could even call it a love affair with the country, she loved German food, beer, and speaking German with people any chance she could get! She was lucky enough to return to Bavaria many times as an adult, although, as she would tell you, she never went enough and could always go again.
In 1964, the Hower Family landed stateside where she enrolled and graduated from Sandy High School. After high school Bonnie spent a few years moving around the United States, experiencing our great nation before she gave birth to her son Daniel, in West Virginia before settling back in Oregon. Bonnie received her associate’s degree in Criminology and worked in law enforcement for the City of Lake Oswego for a time before working for Fred Meyer’s Loss Prevention. Bonnie received an injury during this time while attempting to apprehend a bad guy that forced her to step away from front line Law Enforcement. Like a Pheonix rising from the ashes a new career was born, Bonnie Hower, Private Investigator. After 10 plus years in the field it was time for a career change. Something more personal was needed and she became one of the mountains favorite servers.
Bonnie was a collector. A collector of memories, through photos. A collector of butterflies, which she loved. A collector of knowledge, deep diving into the history of the Hower family was a favorite past time. She loved reading, she loved animals, she loved laughing, she loved playing pool and was pretty damn good at it. What Bonnie may best be known for was her love of Oregon Ducks Football, on game days you could find her covered head-to–toe in green and yellow, a Ducks quacker around her neck, Oregon Duck “O’s” on her cheeks, cheering on her favorite team(and probably razzing her sister, the Beaver fan). The next time you’re watching a game and you see that miracle play happen or a come from behind victory, you can thank her, because she’s probably pulling some strings for the team now.
Bonnie is survived by her son Daniel, eight grandchildren, and 18 Great-grandchildren, her brothers, Robert and Tim, sister Teresa, and numerous nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death, by her parents, brothers Rick and Conrad, and long time boyfriend, Monte.
Bonnie would want everyone to take that trip. Stick around for that conversation. Tell your friends and family you love them. Laugh until you snort. Just go out and live your best life.
Donations in remembrance can be made to the Mt. Hood Lions Club or The Hoodland Fire Department.