Obituary of Bonnie Jean Hilderbrand

Bonnie Jean (Robertson, Biehn, Gannon) Hilderbrand passed away December 13, 2013 in the home of her daughter, Linda (Robertson-Erikson) and son-in-law, Randy Walker. She was born Delores Gannon on March 17, 1929 in Port Angeles, Washington, to Albert Gannon and Florence Brodeen. She was the seventh of 11 children. She was adopted at age three by gentleman farmer, Wesley and wife Olive Biehn of Tenino, Washington. Bonnie was an avid horsewoman, barrel racing on Polly, winning ribbons and awards. She met Cole “Robbie” Robertson while riding, and they married on Steamboat Island on the beach in 1947. She graduated from Tenino High School. They moved to Trosper Road, where they had their three children, Linda, Steven and Robbie. Early on, they were determined to find Bonnie’s real family, the Gannons, and Robbie’s real dad, Fred Erikson. They were successful and by then they had the travelling bug. Early marriage to Robbie was colorful as it included railroads, ranches, sawmills, and canneries, as they drove their converted school bus through California, both working as they went. They settled back in Maytown, Washington, in 1959, where they purchased their home from his mother for $30 a month. Work included roofing, logging, the green chain at the Littlerock sawmill—and alluding the occasional “revenooer.” Play included CB’ers, musicians, camping, making seafood cocktails for local punchboards, and digging razors at Iron Springs. They enjoyed a more relaxed life when Robbie began work for the State and moved to Waddell Creek. Robbie passed in 1981. Bonnie went back to work for Charlie’s Trailer Sales in Tumwater, where she retired. She met Benjamin J. “Joe” Hilderbrand in 1986, moved to McCleary, and they married in 1996. Bonnie spent some of that time as a passenger in the U-Haul Linda bought, moving her from Alaska and finally to Olympia. Joe passed in 1999. Bonnie moved to Black Lake, where she’d been living for 12 years. She loved fishing on the lake with her grandson, Robbie. She loved rooting for the Mariners with her son, Rob. She loved planting her Early Girl tomatoes, sweet peas, “daffy-down-dillies” and Walla Wallas with her daughter. She loved ribbing her son-in-law, Randy, about his daily “jaunts” to town. She loved her friends and neighbors. She enjoyed her who-dun-its and slots. Survivors include daughter, Linda, and son-in-law, Randy; sons, Steven and Robbie; sister, Maxine (Gannon) Lovette of Spokane, Washington; granddaughters, Amber, Shawna, Tara, Tanya and Talor; and a dozen great grandchildren. Grandson, Robbie, preceded her in death. She was a wonderful mom, mother-in-law, and buddy. She will be carried on horseback and reunited with her first love, Robbie, who preceded her in death 31 years ago. The service will be held at Delphi Cemetery on Saturday, January 18, 2014, at 1:00 p.m. A celebration of life will follow at the Littlerock Saloon. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Providence Hospice. Please leave memories of Bonnie or condolences for her family in the Guestbook below.