Bonnie Leese was born in Witchita Falls, Texas November 15, 1935. Her family moved around a great deal but she spent some time as a child in DeQueen, Arkansas. Bonnie was active in her high school drama club and graduated from Gridley High 1953. She also attended Harding College between 1955-1956. After working in banking in Southern California, Bonnie was introduced to Stan Leese in May, 1959, by mutual friends. They were engaged September, 1959 and married on December 19, 1959.
During those years, three children followed: Sonserae, Craig and Scott. She was a loving, dutiful and watchful mother that worked hard to provide the best for her husband and children. She would create forts for the boys and taught Sonserae to sew and do other crafts.
During this time she and Stan worked as a “Team Couple” for the Church of Christ expression of “Marriage Encounter,” an organization to enrich relationships between husbands and wives.
Beginning in 1982 Bonnie taught the Sunny Hills Church of Christ Ladies Bible Class on Tuesday mornings. This was the beginning of a whole new area of passion and love for the word of God and sharing and teaching other women about the love of God. Over the years those women became a daily devotion of prayer for their spiritual, physical and emotional strength and well-being. Even though Bonnie experienced severe and grave illnesses over her tenure, it was those faithful women’s prayerful intervention that would bring Bonnie back in front of that class again and again.
Bonnie was an excellent grandmother to her four grandkids: Jessee and Jacob by Craig and Terri Leese, and Fletcher and Jenay by Scott and Danita Leese. She would hang on every moment that she could be with them and adored when the family could be all together.
Over the years, a deep bond was formed between mother and daughter through daily calls, notes and shared experiences. Sonserae poured her heart into taking care of and loving Bonnie like no other daughter could. They shared joys, heartaches and a great deal of time together in each other’s lives.
Bonnie and Stan were blessed to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on December 19, 2009. They gathered with 110 friends and family to celebrate their commitment to their relationship they made before God and worked at it until the very end. During days of trial neither of them gave up and kept striving to continue to meet at the cross together in this life. One of the ways they would bless others was to remember to call everyone at church on their birthdays and anniversaries, to let them know that they were loved and cared for.
Her spirit was one of care and compassion for the innocent and the helpless. This even extended to the little things. Day after day when she heard the blue jays call in the back yard, she would go and feed them. It didn’t matter how long it took to build the level of trust and rapport with those feathered friends. It was all worth it the day they trusted her to feed right from her hand. In many ways she was playing out the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:26…. “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them (or in some cases he sends a company representative by the name of Bonnie Leese to cover her territory). That was really what her life and mission were really all about. To reach out and touch those that God had put in her territory. Whether they are her family, the ladies in her Bible class or little “Three Toes,” the blue jay she called a friend. All were important, all were deserving, all were touched…..by Bonnie Leese.
We would encourage all of you to find that similar quality of Jesus reflection’ and go out and touch the territory you have been assigned, as a memorial to our wife, mother, sister and friend, Bonnie Leese.
Bill and Linda Lewis
We met Bonnie almost immediately upon entering the doors of Sunny Hills over 30 years ago and, have cherished our friendship with her ever since. Our two children were very young and I was pregnant with our third child. We felt immediately welcome and "at home" by this dear lady. Throughout the years, we grew to appreciate Bonnie's warmth, caring and genuine interest in not only our family, but each and every person with whom she came in contact. And when she told you she would pray about a situation or circumstance, you could count on her to do so. What a prayer warrior she has been for our family and countless numbers of folks!
Attending Ladies Bible Class with Bonnie was a "gift" I treasure. As a young mother and new believer, I was grateful for Bonnie's Godly insight and honesty. Bonnie was not teaching the class at the time, but she came to class prepared to share what she had studied and learned in the Scriptures, and also sought to learn from each of us. As a new believer, I did not think I had a lot to offer, but Bonnie assured me I did and it encouraged me to grow and learn.
Bonnie was a living example of "learning to be content in whatever her circumstance". Her health did not deter her from living her life for Christ. In all of life, Bonnie lived in a manner that glorified God. What an incredible example she has provided for all of us!
Bill's Dad had been in declining health over the past two years. Even though Bonnie had never met Dad, as he took a turn for the worse last summer, it was Bonnie, with her own health problems, who sent a special cards and prayers of encouragement to Bill's Mom & Dad. Bill's Mom, Edith has never forgotten that rare expression of love.
Dad lost his battle last July 31st. Because of Bonnie and her "Church friends," whom Mom had met a few times over the years, she decided to hold Dad's service at Sunny Hills, the home of "Bonnie's Bible Babes."
During the reception, following Dad's Sunny Hills service, in spite of all her own health difficulties there sat our dear Bonnie in support of the Lewis Family. Bill's Mom has always held a special spot in her heart for Bonnie, but this was much more than any of us could ever expect. What an extraordinary example of what a Christian life should be. It was always about the needs of others, never about her own. How rare. Bonnie will always be our Angel for Christ, here on earth. A one-of-a-kind example of God's work.
All our Love to a special family-- the Leeses.
Bill & Linda Lewis
Andy & Karen Smith
We have known the Leese family for more than 30 years, as brothers and sisters in Christ at Sunny Hills. When we think of Bonnie, the word that jumps to the forefront for us both is "Encouraging". Whether through a phone call, a card, or in person, Bonnie was always there to provide loving, kind and encouraging words. Our married life, our personal lifes, and the lifes of our three children were all blessed and improved by Bonnie's loving encouragement. Truly Bonnie took Romans 12:8 to heart, as encouraging was a gift given to her by our God, and she shared that gift generously. We will really miss Bonnie, but I know her message to us would include words like "..It's OK, there's no more pain, and we'll all be together here with Jesus soon enough..."
Marti O'Rear
Bonnie was truly a most thoughtful, gracious woman. I know she struggeled with health for many years, but you really wouldn't know it because of her upbeat attitude. She seemed to never complain. She just had the heart of God beating inside her.
Not anyone could have been married to the Stan. God knew Bonnie was perfect for him. They brought the best out of each other and created a home of love,passion in all that they did and 3 wonderful children who continue to bless them through their lives and the lives of their children.
Living far away during moments like this is always difficult. Please know my heart is with you all.
It was a privilege to know Bonnie.
I am very grateful for the Lease Family.
Much love!
Jill Foley Turner
I met all the Leeses as an unbeliever, a friend of the boys visiting the youth group just for fun. But many years later, when I started to wonder if maybe there was something more to this life than I had known, I remembered that Stan and Bonnie said I could always come to them.
And they meant it. One Friday night, I called them at about 6:00 and couldn't get to them until quite a while later. They didn't care. I wanted to know what it meant to belong to Jesus. They didn't care what time it was.
And they were there waiting for me when I got there. They studied me for a very long time at their dining table and patiently waited for Sunday to come, when I wanted to be baptized. (They really had wanted to take me across the street to a neighbor's pool and baptize me there!)
I can honestly say that Stan and Bonnie Leese helped to carry me to faith, to Jesus. I will never forget what they did for me!
Jill (Lewis) Pfankuch
Bonnie has always been a part of my life. Our family started attending Sunny Hills when I was preschool age and continued until I was well beyond college age.
Even during my adult life (and 1000 miles away) Bonnie continued to be a part of my life. When we received word that our soon to be born, baby girl was going to have Spina Bifida, Bonnie rallied the ladies at the Ladies Bible Study group to write notes of encouragement to me as we prepared for the arrival of our daughter. Once Emmy was born, she again rallied the ladies to write notes of encouragement-following the theme that "God doesn't give us more than we can handle". I kept those notes in Emmy's baby book. They mean more now than ever.
As soon as Emmy was able to fly, we planned our first visit to Orange County, the Ladies Bible Class was one of the first stops we made. It was important to me for Bonnie and all of the ladies see the precious baby they had prayed so hard for. Bonnie was there to "meet" Emmy with a gentle hand on her cheek and the other hand on mine, just as she had always done when time had passed between visits.
I can imagine that those same hands are "loving" on the cheeks of those that she has now joined in Heaven and will be there to welcome those that are yet to come.
Dwayne and Pat Beck
We first came to know Bonnie and Stan shortly after coming to Sunny Hills, at a Marriage Encounter weekend.
After that Craig and Scott sometimes stayed at our house when their parents were involved in leading another Marriage Encounter weekend. Our sons especially enjoyed the Leese boys and we enjoyed those weekends.
We noticed the description of Bonnie (loving, dutiful and WATCHFUL), and that was true! Before our sons could drive, I took them to the beach during summer vacation. Once Bonnie, Scott and Craig came along. We parked ourselves in front of the lifeguard station, I cautioned the boys to swim in front of the lifeguard station and off they went. I think Bonnie spent the entire time patrolling at the water's edge! It amazed me and sure proved how watchful she really was...but she loved her family and wanted them safe and not just physically, but spiritually, also.
I am one of those women from the ladies' class that Bonnie taught. Year after year she provided
well thought out, Biblical lessons. She welcomed each lady personally, encouraged participation and was always a loving, encouraging leader.
Bonnie exemplified the way our Lord wants each of
us to treat others, she was an inspiration for
me and many, many others.
Randy Elliott
Jill and I with our daughter Amanda and friend Josh Mortensen went to visit with Bonnie just about a week before she won the final battle. After visiting for a while we began to pray for Bonnie. When I finished praying Bonnie picked up where I left off and prayed a blessing for each of us. She brought tears to our eyes. It was like we were Jacob's children gathered at his bedside receiving our particular blessing before he went to be with the Lord. It was a powerful experience none of us will ever forget. She was truly a warrior for the Kingdom of Christ.
Jana (Odom) Alduenda
I remember Bonnie as a rock solid believer, someone who would laugh easy (with Stan as a husband, how could she not!) and a dear friend who will be missed very much; her influence in my life is irreplaceable. She would always tell me "I still have the bunny you gave me in the hospital." It was given to her to remind her that I loved her & prayed for her recovery...I never stopped. Through the beautiful testimony of her life, I know she is NOW in her fully recovered, eternal spiritual body, receiving her reward for being Christ's faithful servant.
Dr. Sid and JoAnn Kahn - Rick Timmerman
Our household has a heartache this week and we will forever have a missing spot at Sunny Hills. . .We feel so blessed to have had Bonnie in our lives and now, we must look forward to you, Stan, and getting you back to your playful, teasing self. Know that we love you and are thinking of you - hoping that God's precious hand will comfort you.
