Bonnie J. Toivonen Iwen

Bonnie Jean (Rothmeyer) Toivonen Iwen, 84, of Wausau, Wisconsin, died Friday, February 2, 2024 at Our House Assisted Living, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.  She passed peacefully after a recent fall.

Bonnie was born November 23, 1939 to Mable (Kleinschmidt) and Elmer Rothmeyer, Brokaw, Wisconsin.  She was a middle child in a family of nine siblings. She attended elementary school in Brokaw and graduated from Wausau Senior High School.  Bonnie has always had a special attachment to Brokaw and the accumulated memories of growing up there.  She was married to Jim Toivonen (1941-1994), also from Brokaw Wisconsin.  Together they had four children, David (Tari), Dean (Michele), Dan (Patricia), and Nicole.  Bonnie raised her family in homes on the banks of the Wisconsin and Trappe Rivers, north of Wausau.

Bonnie later married Rueben (Shorty) Iwen (1938-2014) and after years of living in Michigan, they moved to Parrish, Wisconsin in retirement.  They lived in Parrish on the Prairie River for many years enjoying traveling, fishing, boating, camping, and ATV four wheeling.  Through these years, they enjoyed an active outdoor life with their loyal companion black labrador retriever, Lady.

Grandma Bonnie was blessed with ten grandchildren, Christopher, Andrew, Matthew, Taylor, Justen, Danny Jr., Samantha, Mikaela, Mackenzie, and Miranda; and three great-grandchildren.

Mother / Grandma Bonnie loved her family time including get togethers and activities.  She enjoyed family reunions with her siblings and cousins playing games and cards.  Time with her young family was spent enjoying the outdoors and attending her children’s sporting activities. In later years, meeting her family on vacations or “up north” provided her joy and entertainment.  Family was the center of Bonnie’s existence.  She loved cooking, card playing, gardening, bird watching, and flowers, especially her ever blooming Christmas Cactus.

She will be best remembered for love of family and her strength through tough times and adversity.  She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother who provided all with memories that will endure.

A memorial service will be at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau, with Rev. Mark Schwalenberg officiating.  Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.