Bonnie Paullus

Bonnie L. Paullus was born in Prairie City, Oregon on February 11, 1947.  She was raised on the Middle Fork of the John Day River near Bates, Oregon.  Her birth parents were Connie L. and Kenneth S. Hallanger.  She and her older brother Kenneth Maynard were adopted in July 1952 by their grandparents Lillian L. and John C. Gates.   

Bonnie was a loving mother of her son Kenneth (Kenny) D. Graves who preceded her in death on March 17, 2006.  Kenny was engaged to Renee Kuehner at the time of his death.  Bonnie kept close connection with Renee and considered her a daughter.

Bonnie and Kenny made many memories.  They traveled to Alaska and worked. This is where Bonnie became very connected and loved the Annual Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.  She collected many memorabilia of the event.  Bonnie and Kenny also traveled to Hawaii.  Bonnie enjoyed any time spent in the mountains driving around looking for wildlife and what the mountains had to offer. 

Bonnie was a dedicated hard worker.  In fact, she could out work most men.  Her final occupation was working as a heavy equipment operator.  She drove trucks and could operate about any piece of road construction equipment.  She was proud to be a Teamster.  She was a member of the Teamsters, Local 839 of Pasco, Washington.  Prior to that it was not uncommon to find her in a kitchen, making delicious dishes and meals of all sorts.  She did office work and worked in a leather shop.  Bonnie was known for her lovely leather work.  She made many belts, purses, wallets, sitting stools, and a handful of beautiful saddles.  Her creativity was also in pottery, many vases, mugs and figurines can be found with her signature. 

Bonnie passed away in Sumpter, Oregon on May 17, 2024.  Bonnie was preceded in death by her mother Connie Lucille (Lloyd) Petty, and her birth father Kenneth S. (Veda) Hallanger.  Adopted parents Lillian L. and John C. Gates, son Kenneth D. Graves, brother Kenneth M. Gates.  Those that will miss her daily are Melissa (Mike) Towers and Melanie Gates.  She has many great nieces and great nephews, Lacey (Derrick) Peasley, Cody Towers and Joslynn (Jake) Gregory, Tarin and Kenneth Troxell.  She is also survived by a sister Rita Woolsey, granddaughter Sami Graves and many family members and friends.  Some special friends include Linda Wise and Kathy Whitesell of Sumpter, Oregon.

Services will be held at the St. Brigid’s in the Pines Church, 284 Auburn St., Sumpter, Oregon on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.  For those who would like to make a donation in memory of Bonnie, the family suggests the Sumpter Volunteer Fire Department or the Iditarod Trail Committee through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Services PO Box 543 Halfway, Oregon 97834.  Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com