Bonnie Jean Mayo, 87, died Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 at Benefis Hospital of natural
causes. Cremation has taken place and a celebration of life in loving memory of
Bonnie will be held Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022 at 3 p.m. in Geraldine at the
Community Church Fellowship Hall (former Methodist Church). Memorials in
Bonnie's honor may be made to the Geraldine Ambulance Fund or to the Geraldine
Fire Department. Please visit Bonnie's online memorial to send a card or leave a
message of condolence for her family at www.bentonfh.com.

Bonnie was born Oct. 17, 1934 in Idaho Falls, Idaho to Horace S. and Olive
(Frandsen) Raty. She moved to Square Butte as a young girl with her family,
where they ranched and raised horses. She traveled with her parents while her
father put on rodeos all over Montana. Her family moved to Dupuyer, Montana for
a few years and then back to Square Butte. Bonnie attended schools in Great Falls,
Square Butte and Geraldine. Bonnie attended a small country school one year
where she was the only 7th grade student; she had fond memories of riding her
horse to and from the country school.

Bonnie's brother Jack introduced her to Frank Mayo. Frank and Bonnie were
married on July 9, 1952 in Great Falls, settling in Square Butte on the farm where
they raised six girls. The family participated in rodeos and O-Mok-Sees. Bonnie
served as secretary of the Saddle Tramp Club for many years.

Everyone who entered Bonnie's home enjoyed her freshly baked bread, often with
honey or her chokecherry jelly. She enjoyed making cookies for her family;
oatmeal cookies for one of the son-in-laws and no-bake cookies for the grandsons
– which she helped the grandsons try to hide the cookies so they did not have to
share. Bonnie cooked part-time at Mike's Café and Rusty's Bar for several years,
which provided her an opportunity to visit and banter with people. She would serve
a couple local guys whatever she felt like cooking at the moment – not what they
ordered, and told them to just eat what she cooked.

A highlight of Bonnie's life was attending her daughters' and grandchildren's
sporting events throughout the state. She also enjoyed the family vacations to
California and Louisiana. Bonnie was a member of the American Legion
Auxiliary for 25 years and served as treasurer. After Frank passed away, Bonnie
moved into Geraldine. She loved visiting and having coffee with her dear friends.

Bonnie was proceeded in death by her parents, and her siblings: Art, Dorothy,
Mable, Buck, Jack, Bill, infant Harold, and Bobbie; and her husband Frank Mayo.

She is survived by her six daughters: Danette (Jim) Andersch, Square Butte; Coral
(Tom) Diede, Lambert; Karleen (Bob) Okins, Helena; Zana Mayo, Geraldine; Dora
(Mike) Qunell, Geraldine and Jan (Dennis) Wishman, Geraldine; 10 grandchildren,
15 great-grandchildren, sister-in-law Alice Raty, Butte; several nieces, nephews,
family and friends.