Bonita (Bonnie) Lavern Ikard, 74, passed away Nov. 23, 2008, peacefully surrounded by her loving family and friends in St. Peter's Hospital.

She was born Bonnie Lavern Fergus, Dec. 29, 1933, in Helena. She was raised in St. Joseph's orphanage and several foster homes in Helena and graduated from Cathedral High School.

Bonnie loved sports and participated in many local leagues. She was an accomplished swimmer and lifeguard and earned many placings at local swim meets. During the winter months she earned several 300-pin markers from bowling tournaments. But her favorite sport to compete in was softball. She was most proud of her state championship wins with her teammates from the Days Plasterer's in the mid-1950s and her shutout victory in 1955.

Bonnie had a reputation for making mouth-watering meals that were known throughout the area. Bonnie was a cook at several establishments in Helena, spending many years working at Gertie's Drive In. Folks would go there for her famous taco soup. After Gertie's closed, Bonnie cooked for several establishments, finally retiring from Mountain View Girls School in the mid 1990s.

She married William "Bill" Ikard in 1972 and moved to the Birdseye area with their children. It didn't take long for the neighborhood children to learn Bonnie always had lots to eat for hungry kids. Her home became known as "Bonnie's refuge," not only because she fed every person or animal that entered the gate, but for the many foster kids she and Bill opened their home and hearts to.

In addition to playing sports, she was a very enthusiastic fan of football and ice skating, especially cheering on her kids and grandkids at local horse events. In addition to sports, Bonnie enjoyed gardening and raising animals, riding horses, hunting, camping and fishing.

Bonnie is survived by her husband, Bill; children, Tammie Northcott and fiance, Joe Tracy, Russ and Juanita Kelley, Teresa and Wes Brewer, Amy Strom, and Mike and Jen Ikard; grandchildren, Jason and Jennifer Northcott, Jade, Coleton, and Crystal Kelley, Taton, Kegan and Brendon Brewer, Eric Strom, Krisalyn and Sean Ikard and Haley Littlefield; and great-grandson, Dillon Jenson.

She was always willing to help anyone she could. She is loved by many and will be dearly missed.

Her family would like to invite everyone to come and celebrate her amazing life at a memorial service Wednesday, Nov. 26, at 1 p.m. at the Last Chance Chapel on Raven Road in Birdseye. Local arrangements have been entrusted to Hagler-Anderson Funeral Home.