A Life Well-Lived
If unable to attend in person, you can join Bonnie's friends and family electronically via livestream here: https://player.vimeo.com/video/820906027
Bonnie Lee Schaeffer was born June 13, 1942, in Milwaukee. She died on March 22, 2023.
Bonnie attended South Milwaukee schools. After graduation she worked for Allen Bradley, assembling computer components. In 1971 she moved to Des Moines to attend Faith Baptist Bible College, concentrating on music conducting.
Upon leaving college she became Director of Music at Indianola Regular Baptist Church and also Director of Music, K-12 at Knoxville Baptist School. When the school closed, she moved to Des Moines and worked for Mainstream Living until her retirement in 2012.
Bonnie had four passions in life that consumed her time and energy – her faith in God, music, photography, and electronics. She played trumpet in high school and in the New Horizon Band in Des Moines. When she was unable to continue with the trumpet she learned to play drums. She had her own trap set at home, played drums on the worship team at New Life Center, and in the New Horizon Band.
Her love of “puttering” on the computer fit in well with music and photography. She had some sophisticated apps that could do awesome things in both areas. She was always willing to use her talents to help others in music or special projects in photography.
Bonnie was always very kind and caring, and giving to others. She taught her students to love music, to develop their talent, to find the music within themselves. She made her camera and computer available to students back before electronics became so common.
She had a special compassion for those who were mentally challenged and made the lives of many as good as could be with her work at Mainstream.
The most important part of Bonnie’s life was her faith in God. She knew that through the sacrifice of Jesus her sins were forgiven. She was a child of God and would be going to heaven, not on her merits but on the merits of Jesus.
And so, as we all grieve for the loss of our friend, we all know that she is in the presence of God. She has met Jesus; she is rejoicing in the new body she has been given; she is meeting her old friends again; she is enjoying the awesomeness of heaven; and I would suppose she is listening to the most beautiful music she has ever heard – compliments of the Chief Musician.
A celebration of life for Bonnie Schaeffer will be held on Wednesday, May 10 at 10:30 at Brooks Funeral Care in Clive, IA. Bonnie's family suggests casual attire for Bonnie's services.
Memorial gifts may be directed to Bonnie’s roommate, Beverly McDowell.