Bonnie Dopps (Nina Bonita) (Nina with a long i), 86, was born in a farmhouse in Sumner County KS on August 5, 1938. Her mom, Emma, said that the sheets felt like they were on fire in those dog days of summer. Bonnie came face to face with her Savior, Jesus Christ on November 25, 2024. She was always amazed to have lived so long, and often marveled, "I always thought that I would die young."

Growing up in extreme poverty and being the middle child of seven as an intensely shy introvert combined to make a lot of pain in her childhood. She turned to alcohol to alleviate the pain, but later said many times, "I was an alcoholic, but someone told me to try Jesus. I did and it worked!"

The one who introduced her to Jesus was her second husband, Paul Dopps. When they married, Bonnie was 33 and Paul was 60. He was a huge blessing in her life, teaching her basics like budgeting, paying bills, cooking and how to drive. He insisted that she learn, even though she resisted, but he didn't know what he was unleashing on the world. Bonnie drove like Mr. Magoo, leaving a wake of confused fellow drivers in her rearview mirror. A cyclist once caught up with her at a stoplight, pounded on her window and yelled, "Were you trying to kill me!?" She was relieved when having seizures led to the surrender of her license.

Her signature meal was Hungarian Pork Chops, served to any company that came for dinner. It was her signature meal because it was her only meal. She had no interest in expanding her repertoire. Bonnie hated evil. She had no patience with wickedness and soundly condemned and avoided it. She loved to laugh and enjoyed vintage TV shows like Mayberry, I love Lucy, Walker, and Lassie. But her favorites were Westerns, just like her dad. She loved the bad guy to get what he had coming to him, loudly rejoicing as he got his. She spent a lot of time listening to her favorite preachers, Jack Hibbs, Charles Stanley, and Adrian Rogers. She was always ready to hear and talk about Scripture.

Bonnie worked for many years as a janitor at Sunrise Christian Academy. The students and staff expressed their gratitude for her work often and lavishly. Rob and Sharon Lindsted watched out for her. They, along with Cynthia Kocher were great friends to Bonnie, filling a great need as her daughter and son-in-law lived out-of-town.

When her grandkids did move to Wichita, Bonnie became a hero to them, taking them on wonderful adventures often.  Her grandsons, Jared, and Justin were always ready to help and gave her two granddaughters-in-law, Treye, and Karen. They enriched her life in amazing ways. Her granddaughter, Rachel, gave her unconditional love and acts of service, as well as great gifts. Bonnie had the blessing of being able to live with most of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren through different circumstances.

At 19, Bonnie and her fiancé lost track of each other when he went in the military. She made the selfless decision to give up her baby boy for adoption so he could have a better life. She was reunited with her biological son, Brian in 2022. She was so proud of him and her new granddaughter, Gloria. They helped to make her last two years fuller and happier.

When adventuring got beyond her, she watched TV shows with her great-grandchildren, feeding them lots of junk food, laughter, and her unique view of the world. They adored her. Bonnie had a generous heart and joyfully gave at birthdays and Christmas to all her family members.

The last several years Bonnie lived with her daughter, Elaine and son-in-law, Dan. She was still very self-sufficient, but Dan was a faithful provider of whatever she needed. Elaine handled more of her wants. Elaine found her having seizures in the wee hours of the morning November 12th.  She was taken by ambulance to the hospital where 3 days later she had a major stroke. The doctors said that they could do nothing more medically and she was placed on Hospice. Elaine and a family friend, Carol Khol, were with her when she passed. Carol was singing a hymn to her. She always said that she wanted to die pain free in her sleep and God granted that desire.  She is in the absence of evil and in the presence of love and laughter.

Bonnie is preceded in death by her husband, Paul Dopps, her parents, Pat and Emma Patterson, her brothers Clyde, Johnny, and Donald Patterson; her sisters Oma Leach and Lois Patterson. She is survived by her sister, Emmalien Haase, her daughter Elaine (Dan) Morrison and her son Brian Vest, as well as grandchildren Jared (Treye) Morrison, Justin (Karen) Morrison, and Rachel, Morrison, Gloria Vest, and six great-grandchildren.

Bonnie's Memorial Service will be held Saturday December 7th at 3:00pm. Community Bible Chapel, 4551 Auburn St., Bel Aire KS. If you would like to send flowers, please send them to Affordable Cremations Plus, 7920 W Kellogg Drive Suite 200, Wichita, Ks.

Arrangements are by Affordable Cremations Plus.