BONNIE V (PENNINGTON) JENKS Obituary (1940

BONNIE VESTA JENKS, 76, our dear sweet Bonnie passed away June 1st, 2017 in Libby, Montana due to complications after fighting an infection. Bonnie Vesta (Pennington) Jenks was born to Oliver and Roxie (McNurlen) Pennington on October 26th, 1940 in American Falls ID. She graduated from Kellogg High School in Kellogg, ID with the class of 1958 with her dear friend, the late, JoAnn Calkins by her side (Whom she later named her daughter after). She traveled to Virginia to care for her friend while she was sick later returning to Kellogg. On September 1st 1962 she married the love of her life, Jerry Mason Jenks, and 9 months later gave birth to her "Favorite" son Robin Mason Jenks. In 1971 she gave birth to her "Favorite" daughter Jeri Ann (Jenks) Chapel. Bonnie worked as a car hop at "The Boat" drive in restaurant in Smelterville, ID in her younger years. She then became a registered dietitian working at West Shoshone General Hospital/Shoshone Medical Center for many years. She talked often about the numerous friends she made while employed there and the good times and many laughs they all had. In 1987 she and Jerry moved their family to Troy, Montana where they had family and she soon was employed as a dietitian at St. John's Lutheran Hospital in Libby working there until she retired. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, quilting, embroidering, gardening, and caring for her family and her animals that she loved so much. She also enjoyed antiques and loved making old things look new again, spending hours and days washing, waxing, sanding and painting. Bonnie volunteered at Kootenai Pets for Life for several years where she dearly loved being "The Cat Whisperer". Bonnie was quick witted and will always be remembered for her especially fun personality and laughter. She loved joking with anyone and everyone. Her family will miss her stories of "Big Bill" at the Troy Senior Center giving her a hard time and never forgetting to tell us she seen "Hocks" around the neighborhood or in town. She loved being teased by Tracy (The Bread Man) about "Those Troy Women". She explained to her friends and family her appreciation for "A man wearing a tool belt" and truly enjoyed when the St John's Kitchen Crew and Tom put that into a skit. Bonnie's life was filled with so much fun and laughter, most of which was started by her. Her family thinks her favorite songs would have to be "The Party Pooper" (every party has a pooper that's why we invited you) and "It's my party and I'll cry if I want to" because she sang those A LOT. Extra special thanks to her granddaughter Julia and daughter-in-law Cathy who rarely left her side during her illness and to granddaughter Ashley for her special trip from Nevada to help take care of her grandma. Special thanks to the staffs at Cabinet Peaks Medical Center, Kalispell Regional, and Libby Care Center-(Special Unit) for all of your help and support over our stays with you all. Thank you to the Troy Volunteer Ambulance, Libby Volunteer Ambulance and Evergreen Volunteer Ambulance for the jobs you do every day helping people like us. Preceded in death are her parents Oliver and Roxie Pennington, brother Grover Pennington, and sister Mary Nelson. Survivors include her husband Jerry, son Robin Jenks and wife Cathy, Libby, MT; daughter Jeri Ann Chapel and husband Doug, Troy, MT; granddaughter Ashley (Jenks) Redd and husband Jerry, Carlin NV; granddaughter Julia Jenks, Libby, MT; grandson Mason Chapel-Troy MT, granddaughter Paige Chapel, Troy, MT; grandson Evan Jenks-Libby, MT; brother Wayne Pennington, Enaville, ID; sisters Helen Carroll, Noxon, MT; Virginia Drier, Kellogg, ID and several nieces and nephews In lieu of flowers, donations to Kootenai Pets for Life, PO Box 1454, Libby, MT 59923 would be appreciated. Cards may be mailed C/O Robin Jenks, 1943 Farm to Market Rd, Libby MT. 59935. A BBQ celebration of Bonnie's life will be June 24th at Robin and Cathy's home in Libby. Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.