Funeral services for Bonita Ehly, age 76, of Timber Lake will be at 9 AM MT, Thursday, May 5, 2011 at the Timber Lake School Gym. Pastor Keith Kraft will be officiating. Burial will be in the Timber Lake Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will start at 5 PM with a prayer service at 7 PM at the United Parish Church in Timber Lake.

Bonita Lucille (Miller) Ehly's life's journey ended after fighting a long gallant battle with cancer for the past ten years. In February 2001 she was diagnosed with an aggressive malignant tumor. She then spent three months at Mayo Clinic in Treatment. Though impeded with cancer maladies she maintained until this last year when the cancer spread throughout her body. She fought with intensity and determination but the continuous struggle finally became too much for her and on April 30th, 2011 she closed her eyes in peace to be with her Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Bonita was born to Frank and Esther (Drageset) Miller on September 1, 1934 in Dupree, SD. She was taken home by her parents to live on a farm seven miles west of Isabel. Here she grew to adulthood. Her family, too, labored and struggled through the Great Depression. These were impressionable times for Bonita and she learned to be resilient, tough and independent at an early age, using these skills to become the grounded, resolute individual that she became.

Bonita attended all of her elementary school years at the Center School in northern Ziebach County. Her interests were wide and varied but she was a good student and in 1947 she entered Isabel High School, boarding in town with friends. She excelled in her studies and enjoyed her days as a teenager. After four years of boarding away from home she graduated with honors from Isabel High School in 1952.

After graduating from high school she was off to Northern Teacher's College for a ten week training session. At the age of 17 she took on her first teaching assignment. She taught school for the next 47 "Consecutive" years, retiring at the age of 65. She taught for 3 years at the Leibelt School in Ziebach County. On May 23, 1954 she married Ben Ehly at the Congregational Church in Isabel.

In 1955 Ben and Bonita moved to Firesteel where they became a part of a 'family community' as the "new" teachers. These were wonderful years for her as they taught and loved the Firesteel "kids" for the next 12 years.

It was while they lived in Firesteel that their only child, Kelley Rae was born on Dec. 11, 1960. Kelley has been the sparkle in Bonita's eye for the past 50 years.

In 1967 Bonita was offered a contract to teach 3rd grade in the Timber Lake School system, so she, Ben and Kelley moved to Timber Lake where they continued in a long, wonderful, rewarding teaching career. In 1970 they bought the newly built Carl Meyer house. Forty years later they still enjoyed this home at 110 5th St. in Timber Lake. Bonita earned a Master's Degree in School Administration and became the Elementary Principal in the Timber Lake School, a position which she held until her retirement in 1999.

In 1982 daughter, Kelley married Melvin Traversie. Between 1991-1993 Melvin and Kelley blessed Bonita with four grandchildren: Kasidee, Ty, Andy and Jordyn. These grand kids became such a integral part of her life. She loved being their "Nanny". They became her passion and they have been the joy of her life for the past 20 years.

Bonita lived a 'humble' life, never seeking recognition or being someone she was not. Her goal was to give the "best" of what she had to her family, to her friends, to her school, her students and to those with whom she worked. She was especially caring and considerate in her journey into the lives of her students. She loved and cared about them profoundly and individually in every aspect. Her motto was to always focus on a students' positives and to help them overcome negative issues.

From the onset of her illness in 2001 until her death, Bonita spent the greatest share of her time in her home because of illness issues. At first this was a challenge for her. She loved people and loved to visit but being the resolved person that she was she fashioned her won challenges and very methodically resolved them. She spent a great deal of time studying the Bible and studying God's Word. This brought her great comfort and peace. Praying for, thinking of and worrying about other people became her passion. She loved her family, she loved her friends…she loved people and was forever grateful for the love, prayers and attention showered on her. She was always so appreciative to be remembered.

Life certainly hadn't taken the turn that Bonita had imagined, but she often said that she learned so much from her illness and that this gave her the opportunity to do so many things that perhaps she otherwise would not have been able to do: Read-Write-Study the Bible -Genealogy-Family Lore. Bonita continued her quest for learning. She would read and study topics that were deep and intense. She studied many varied subjects-- often saying, "I have learned so much". She handled her 'home confinement' with meaningful and useful tasks. Every week she would have a new project and usually didn't want to be interrupted.

Surviving Bonita are her husband, Ben; daughter, Kelley and son-in-law, Melvin Traversie; her grandchildren; Kasidee, Ty, Andy and Jordyn Traversie. She also leaves a 'special' sister: Shirley (Dennis) Peterson as well as a special sister-in-law: Ella Bachman. Also surviving are 2 brothers-in-law: Willard Nash and Robert Finley and a special aunt: Elsie McMichael. Bonita had a special bond with many nieces, nephews and cousins who grieve her passing.

Preceding Bonita in death are her parents, Frank and Esther Miller, 2 sisters: Dora (Robert) Finley and Kay (Willard) Nash, her grandparents and nieces, nephews and cousins.

Casketbearers are Jordyn Traversie(Granddaughter), Andy Traversie(Grandson), Ty Traversie(Grandson), Kasidee Traversie(Granddaughter), Brian Nash(Godson), Gary Waddell(Godson), Patrick Hettich(Special Friend).
Honorary bearers will be all Bonita's family, friends, former students and co-workers, Dr. Josh Henderson, Mobridge Regional Hospital Staff, Compassionate Care Hospice Staff and West Winds Home Health Staff.