Phyllis "Bonnie" Denny

The funeral service celebrating the life of Phyllis "Bonnie" Denny, age 92, a resident of Vitality Living of Sebeka and formerly of rural Verndale, will take place at 11:00 AM on Monday, June 2, 2025 at the Hewitt Community Church with Pastor Ken Uhren presiding. Friends and family will be gathering and sharing memories from 9:30 AM until the time of services on Monday at the church. Private burial service will be at the Hewitt Cemetery. At the age of 92, Bonnie passed away with family by her side on May 26, 2025, at Vitality Living in Sebeka, MN. As painful as it was to see you go, Thank you for the time to reflect on who you were and the impact you had on our lives. Some may have known you as Mom, Grams, Bonnie, Phyllis, Sweet Thang, Poopsie, or Bonjo. Phyllis Fern Evans was taken in by the Leaseman family at an early age. Her brother, Bill, said Phyllis was too old of a name for her and decided to give her the name Bonnie, which has held to this day. Bonnie went to school in Hewitt thru the 8th grade. Bonnie married Gordon Denny and raised five beautiful children: Johnny, Roxanne, Gail, Kathy, and Cindy. They moved to International Falls for a length of time and then to Alaska, where Bonnie worked at the Post Office. Then back to Minnesota to what’s known today as “The Farm.” Bonnie worked very hard on the farm, milking cows and making meals for the hired hands. As many should know, these weren’t your ordinary breakfasts, lunches (dinners), or suppers.... they could be more appropriately labeled as feasts. From a lady who stated, “she couldn’t even boil water,” she polished her craft of baking, cooking, and hosting over the decades. Everyone that stepped foot onto the Farm's property left with a few extra pounds around their waistline. From the simple soggy butter-drenched popcorn to the fried chicken that rivaled Louisiana, to the buffet settings during family gatherings. Nobody went home hungry nor without platefuls of leftovers, including full homemade pies, half a pig, 5# of spuds, or a dozen ears of corn. At the very least, she always had a stick of Dentyne or Doublemint gum for anyone. Bonnie was a talented seamstress, creating dresses for the girls thru school, a member of the Hewitt Methodist Church, and even played the piano by ear while singing hymns with the girls as her choir. She loved to dance and even did a waltz with her walker a couple of times. Bonnie enjoyed WeFest with friends, casino road trips, and cherished the family gatherings, picnics, and bonfires, which would always lead to a tear as you left the yard. Gordy loved to initiate Bonnie’s rising blood pressure and of course he would have some followers which would ultimately have Bonnie scrambling for their names up-to 7 times before she’d get it right. For all other things she couldn’t quite remember, the infamous term “Whatchamajygger” was developed. She was tough enough to look a bull in the eyes but if a moth entered her arena...she would be off to the races. I think Gordy’s spirit wanted to see how much dust that walker would leave during the last few years. Upon retirement from milking cows, Pony Rings became a favored hobby shared by both Gordon and Bonnie. Both enjoyed being the social butterflies and spreading their smiles. Bonnie lived on the farm until the age of 85, moved to Humphrey Manor in Wadena, then to Vitality Living in Sebeka for the past 4 years. The girls were thankful to reverse the caretaker role and blessed to spend the time with her. To the women of many aliases, thank you for being you. A wife, mother, grandma, great grandma, in-law, neighbor, and friend. For as long as you waited for Gordon outside of Bertha, Hewitt, or Wadena, it’s time for you to end his wait for you. Heaven truly gained The Best Cook Ever...We will miss you, we love you and will love you forever. Preceding Bonnie in death were her loving husband, Gordon (2012); son, Johnny Denny; son-in-law, Bruce Zutter; granddaughter, Natasha Zutter; and mother, Lydia Massey. Left with loving memories are Bonnie’s daughters, RoxAnne (Gene) Arndt of Hewitt, Gail (Mike) Kenney of Wadena, Kathy Stansbury (Bryant Cooper) of Grand Rapids and Cindy (Rob) Havnes of Wadena; several grandchildren and great grandchildren; along with extended family members and friends.

Phyllis "Bonnie" Denny

December 31, 1932 - May 26, 2025