Bonnie Lou (Davis) Braker, age 85, of Liberal, Missouri, went home to be with the Lord Friday, Nov. 18, 2022, at Cox Barton County Hospital in Lamar, Missouri, surrounded by her family.
Bonnie was born in Lamar on Aug. 23, 1937, to Thelma (Trout) and Clint Davis. She grew up in Barton County and attended school in Mindenmines, Missouri, and Pittsburg, Kansas. She married Leonard Braker on Aug. 23, 1954, and they celebrated their 61st anniversary in 2015 before he passed away in September of that year. Bonnie worked hard as a farmer's wife and mother.
Throughout her children's lives, her house was the hangout. Lots of kids would come, especially on Sundays after church, and would race dirt bikes, play ping pong, and hang out all day. Bonnie would fix a big meal for all of them. If she decided not to cook, Leonard would run and grab Chicken Mary's. She spent all day after church getting ready for a table full of kids to feed, and when her children were all getting ready for bed, she would be getting the house back in order for the week. She loved having her kids at home and enjoyed having nieces, nephews, and friends there as well. Many of them called her mom, and it continued through the generations as many of her grandchildren's friends called her Grandma and her great-grandchildren's friends called her Granni.
In the 1970s, she completed her lifelong dream and went back to school. She earned her LPN and had a fulfilling nursing career for many years. She was a disciple and obedient follower of Jesus Christ and was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church of Lamar.
Bonnie was preceded in death by, and is now reunited with, her husband; parents; siblings Gene Davis, Boy Lee Davis, Bill Lauck, and Betty Landis; daughter-in-law René Braker; and granddaughter Tarah Keith.
She is survived by her children Carol Lehman and husband John of Sabetha, Kansas, Linda Barton and husband Rick of Liberal, Missouri, Tim Braker and wife Terri of Iantha, Missouri, and Terry Braker and wife Ronda of Lamar, Missouri; grandchildren Brandi Wolf and husband Andy, Jo Ann Wentland and husband Jon, Andy Marti and wife Misty, Chariti Farmer, Bryce Barton and wife Marki, Teague Braker, Ryan Braker, Trent Braker, and Trey Braker. She is also survived by great-grandchildren Kaitlyn, Cooper, Delaney, Drew, Hannidy, Alexys, Kynli, Kayli, Abby, Ally, Jace, Davis, Avery, Shelbi, Emily, Riley, Keily, Adler, and Noah; great-great granddaughters Ali and Paisley; siblings Gary Davis and wife Joy, Sam Davis and wife Barbara; sister-in-law Theresa Davis; and extended family members, Butch and Liz Barton and children Austin, Amanda, and Jessica and Derrall and Sherrie Beasley and daughter Leslie.
Donations, in lieu of flowers, can be made to Cox Barton County Hospital and sent in care of the funeral home. The money will be allocated to show appreciation to the hard-working employees and volunteers of the hospital in the Lamar area.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022, at Konantz Warden Funeral Home. There will be a visitation Monday, Nov. 21, 2022, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Konantz Warden Funeral Home.
