Memorial

Bonnie Deloris (Culp) Bemus, or Mrs. B, Bon Bon, Mom, or Nana, as she was called by those who knew and loved her, passed away at the age of 89 on January 17, 2024, due to complications of a stroke in June of 2022. A visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at the Cedar Memorial Chapel Stateroom on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. A funeral service will be held at the Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories at 1:00 PM on Thursday, January 25, 2024. A private family inurnment will follow the service. 

Bonnie was born May 6, 1934, in Ames, IA.  Bonita and Harold Culp adopted her when she was four and moved her and her brother, Richard, to Eldridge IA. She attended a one room schoolhouse through 8th grade and graduated from Davenport High School in 1952.

Her two years at Iowa State Teachers college were filled with drama productions and cheerleading.  There she was able to receive her teaching certification and taught kindergarten in Coggon and West Branch.  

She met her husband, Dean, on a blind date. They eloped in October of 1958 and celebrated that anniversary as well as the June 14, 1958, wedding date every year. Dean fell hard and loved her until his death in 2010. Bonnie had an infectious energy that filled up the room. She loved a good party, socializing, and golf - not as much as Dean, but she could still beat him, and so he would practice more.

Bonnie was a natural athlete, winning the Cedar Rapids women’s golf tournament in 1970. She was also a great tennis player and bowler. She was in all three leagues for the Cedar Rapids Country Club for years.

Bonnie was never one to sit still and was a gifted decorator and entrepreneur. With her dear friend, Shirley Hill, she opened one of the area’s first high-end furniture consignment and estate sale businesses, Top Drawer. They also designed and created shirts, purses, stuffed animals, and Christmas decor which they sold at craft markets.  

Bonnie was proceeded in death by her husband of 52 years, Dr. Dean Bemus, her parents, a brother, and her companion, Dorothy Topping.

She is survived by her 4 children, Lisa Bemus Shields (Randy), David, Dan, and Scott (Amy); seven grandchildren, Emily Shields Hauser (Michael), Alex (Ashley), Cooper (Abby), Madison, Alyssa, Jake, and Claire Bemus.  She was also loved by her five great-grandchildren: Lucy, Micheal, Eleanor, Zoe and Julia Hauser.

In lieu of flowers, to honor Bonnie’s memory, please consider a donation to the Community Health Free Clinic, His Hands Free Clinic, or the Cedar Valley Humane Society.