Bonnie J. Siruta

Bonnie Joann Siruta, 84, of Winona, died Monday, December 30, 2024. She was born in Levant, KS, on February 10, 1940, to Doyle and Frances (Tubbs) Erwin. Bonnie attended school in Levant and became a homemaker for many years before joining the workforce. She loved to cook for others and throughout her career she worked at Colby Community College, in food service, Marlins Diner and Country Kitchen in Winona and then for the Winona Triplains School. 

On August 26, 1955, Bonnie married Donald Siruta, in Russell, KS. To this union 12 children were born. Bonnie was proud of her children and kept them in line (especially the boys) with a twist of the ear and “the pinch”. She was always involved in their activities and served as a Boy Scout and 4-H leader and youth group volunteer. She was a hard worker, taking care of the chickens, cows and her garden, which was her pride and joy. She could make anything grow! Bonnie truly loved caring for her family, and especially enjoyed her grandkids. Bonnie’s grandsons and a few other family members enjoy participating in “Bonnie’s Rules”, a very competitive fantasy football league, where the loser has to wear a brown bag over their head at the family Christmas dinner and the winner gets the traveling trophy. Her love for her daughters was unconditional, but her boys walked on water (according to her daughters). 

Upon retirement, Bonnie enjoyed going to Winona Cafe with her girlfriends, Judy, Sherri, Linda and many others. Some of her favorite things were taking drives, especially at Christmas time to look at lights, working in her yard and with her flowers and taking little trips to go shopping and get Sonic. She also looked forward to her frequent visits from her special friend Jiah, who would go to his special snack drawer before they began their long visits. She also enjoyed volunteering for the Tri-County Amusement, the league basketball tournaments and Winona Chamber. In 2020, Bonnie was honored as the Grand Marshal of the Triplains Homecoming. The Winona community, as well as the faculty, staff and students of Triplains Schools held a special place in her heart and her family will be forever grateful for that. 

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents; husband Don; sons, Troy (1977), Johnny (1981) and Keith (2017); brothers, Maurice “Mickey” Erwin and Marvin Erwin; sister Connie Shea and grandson, Tate Siruta.

She is survived by her children, Ron (Dee), of Oakley, Kent (Melissa), of Johnson, Dan (Debbie) of Goodland, Duskin (Missy), of Colby, Rod (Daisy), of Arapahoe, CO, Susan (Doug) Holzmeister, of Colby, Karen Doze, of Garden City, Jason (Alicia), of Colby, and Jamie, of Ness City; daughter-in-law, Connie Harrison; sisters-in-law Luretta Erwin Kathy Siruta and Sandy Siruta; grandchildren, Kylie Austin, Drew Siruta, Kraig Siruta, Amanda Siruta, Loree Reinert, Brandon Siruta, Courtney Parsons, Johnny Siruta, Lacie Cozza, Brady Holzmeister, Shaylee Holzmeister, Brett Doze, Cody Doze, Ashley Mosier, Callie Staab and Jadon Siruta and 23 great grandchildren. 

Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 2, 2025, at the Winona Methodist Church. Funeral Service is 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 3, 2025, at the Winona Methodist Church, with burial in the Winona Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Citizens Health or the Winona Chamber of Commerce (for the Main Street Project) and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com