Bonnie Mae Kanen
June 30, 1944 - December 2, 2018

It is with great sadness and sorrow that we share the loss of Bonnie Mae Kanen, 74 who passed away in Eureka on Sunday, December 2, 2018.

Bonnie was born to her parents Melba and Victor Sundquist. They resided in Oregon near the Columbia River and Rainier.  Bonnie went to Rainier High School and later moved to Sacramento to live with her Aunt Alice. After high school, Bonnie attended Frederick and Charles Beauty School before moving to Humboldt County.  She met Rolland Kanen, the love of her life and married him in May, 1965 in Reno, Nevada. They spent 53 years of wonderful marriage together, and raised their children in Hydesville. Bonnie was a wonderful daughter, sister, cousin, aunt, wife, mother, grandma, great-grandma and a caring and generous friend to many. She was known for her warm and caring heart and beautiful smile.  She will be greatly missed by the many lives she touched in her 74 years.

Bonnie worked as a stylist in Mary’s Beauty Shop in Fortuna.  She left to raise her family. However, Bonnie developed many long lasting and deep friendships with her customers and continued to do their hair over the years up to a few months ago. Bonnie also worked as a teacher’s aid at the Hydesville Elementary School. She also volunteered to drive her kids and friends to all the sporting and music events her children participated in.  With her kids all grown, she later found joy by helping others and volunteering as a Pink Lady at the Redwood Memorial Hospital. Bonnie was also a member of the Hydesville Community Church and participated in the bible study groups, and the cancer and chronic illness support groups. She loved to meet new people and talk and share stories. Bonnie enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her loving husband, Rolland Kanen; her children, Debbie Crosby and husband Don, Karen Latora and husband Frank, Darren Kanen and wife Regina and Kim Worthen and husband Travis; her grandchildren Anna Spence, Amber Sarapin and husband Taras, Arika Howell and husband Mike, Sabrina Kanen, Tony Basler, Collin Worthen, Russell Worthen, Jacob Basler, Kassidy Kirkham, Tony Latora, Madison Worthen, Hunter Worthen, Kylee Kanen and Sophia Latora; and her great grandchildren Dylan Spence, Paige Spence, Braeden Spence, Ava Sarapin, Bennett Sarapin, Tiernan Howell, Conor Howell and Everly Sarapin; her sister Karen Larson and her husband Jim Larson, many nieces and nephews; grand nieces and nephews and many other relatives and friends.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents, Victor and Melba and her brothers, Wally Sundquist, Jerry Curteman and Vernon Curteman.  

To the many doctors, nurses and staff of Redwood Memorial, St. Joseph’s Hospital, and Stanford Health Care, the family wishes to send our heart-filled thanks.  These caring and remarkable people, all with smiles on their faces and love in their hearts will never be forgotten.

The family of Bonnie Kanen invite you to attend a memorial service and celebration of her life, followed by a potluck meal and reception on Monday, December 17, at 1 pm at the Hydesville Community Church 3296 Highway 36, Hydesville.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Bonnie Kanen’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.