Lora Leigh Bonsall was born September 29, 1969 in Burwell, Nebraska to Dennis and DeeDii (Edythe Chaffin) Bonsall of Burwell, Nebraska. She was raised on the family ranch north of Burwell. She died at Bryan Medical Center West Campus in Lincoln, Nebraska on October 1, 2021 after a short illness not related to Covid-19.
When Lora was four years old when she contracted Reyes syndrome which left her with a life time of neurological disabilities and seizures Lora attend grade school at Rosehill rural District #25 before making her home at Mosaic (Bethphage) in Axtell, Nebraska. During her life time she lived at Mosaic in Holdrege, Nebraska, Region 5 in York, Nebraska, Mentor in Lincoln, Nebraska, and finally Extended Families of Nebraska in Lincoln.
Lora liked and was in involved in many Church activities. She knew Jesus as her personal friend and Savior. She competed in Special Olympics as an athlete in the running, swimming and bowling events. She won many gold medals. She lit the Olympic Flame at one of Nebraska’s Special Olympics opening ceremonies. But more than that she loved rodeos and her bestest horse friend Toy Sox. She was in utter delight when she could help her Uncle Bob warm up the horses at a rodeo. She was quite a flower gardener. She participated in 4-H. She was always there to help those less fortunate that than herself but that does not say she could lose her temper.
Family was everything to her. Those left to remember her are mom DeeDii Bonsall of Aurora, Nebraska, Brothers and sister- in- law, Byron Bonsall of San Francisco, California, Brady and Sherri Bonsall of Kearney, Nebraska, nephew and nieces Nathan Bonsall of Chicago, Illinois, Grace, Emma, Haley, and Sara Bonsall all of Kearney, Nebraska. Uncles and aunts, Bob and Fran Bonsall of DeBerry, Texas, Gaines and Ellen Bonsall of Fremont, Nebraska, Sandie and Muriel Bonsall of Fowler, Kansas. Bub and Pam Chaffin, Don and Marylou Cain, stepmom, Renaye Bonsall, all of Burwell, Nebraska cousins and distant relatives, Care providers Lonny and Joni Hall Lincoln, Nebraska.
Those that have welcomed her to her new Heavenly home are Dad, Dennis Bonsall, Aunt Jeanne (Chaffin) Cain, Cousin Brenda Chaffin, Grandparents Henry and Luella Bonsall, Leland and Marie Chaffin all from Burwell. Lora has now joined this group to greet future family members and friends.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at the United Methodist Church in Burwell, Nebraska. Burial will be in Cottonwood Cemetery in Burwell, Nebraska. Pastor Serene Samuel and Pastor Bob Gannon will officiate. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Nebraska’s Big Rodeo.
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