Bonnie B. Elliott

Bonnie B. Elliott, born November 24, 1927 in Longford, Kansas, to Carrie and W.O. “Oscar” Botz,  passed away peacefully on November 7, 2023 in Kingwood, Texas.  Bonnie, the fourth of six children, was raised on the family farm near Longford.  Times were tough, but love was plenty. Bonnie attended Longford public schools, graduating salutatorian of the Class of 1945.  

After high school, Bonnie attended The Sisters of St. Joseph School of Nursing in Concordia, KS, graduating as a Registered Nurse in 1948.    For the next forty-four years, she worked as a nurse along with taking on the role as the first hospital administrator for the yet to be opened Republic County Hospital in 1960, a position she held until her retirement in 1990. Nursing for Bonnie was not just a job, but her passion.  Even at the end of her life, she quizzed her caregivers about their training and nursing techniques.   Over her career she received many professional accolades, but her favorite moments were when she could step away from her administrative duties and provide care to patients and their families.   After her retirement she loved to gather with her former hospital staff to reminisce about their hospital days.  Bonnie encouraged and assisted many of her nursing staff to further their education.  Her impact on healthcare in Republic County is still felt today as she oversaw two major expansions to the hospital in her thirty-year career as its chief officer.

On April 17, 1949, Bonnie married LeeRoy Elliott, a union that lasted 68 years until Roy’s death, also on November 7, 2017.  To this union three children were born: Keenan, Craig, and Lecia.  Bonnie and LeeRoy made their first home on the Elliott family farm northwest of Republic, Kansas where they raised their family with strong Christian values, an appreciation for hard work, integrity, and education.  In 1984, LeeRoy and Bonnie moved west of Belleville into their dream home that Roy lovingly designed and built for her. In 2021, Bonnie moved to Kingwood, Texas to be closer to her daughter.

Bonnie was known for her beautiful flower and vegetable gardens where she spent hours planting, weeding, harvesting, canning, and freezing the fruits of her labor. From 1994 – 2010, Bonnie and LeeRoy spent their winters in South Texas where they made wonderful memories.  Bonnie learned to play Mahjong, bringing her love of the game back to her friends in Belleville, many who are still playing and teaching others the game today. Bonnie was an avid reader and hardly a week passed without a trip to her beloved Belleville Public Library. During the winter months she always had a sewing project going, creating wonderful handicrafts for her friends and family.  Bonnie was a proud member of PEO Chapter JA, Republic United Methodist Church, and the United Methodist Women’s group in Republic, Kansas.

Bonnie was predeceased by her husband, LeeRoy, her beloved son-in-in law, Stuart Chaney, her parents, siblings, and their spouses: Frances (Don) Hoffman, Evelyn (Cliff) Asher, Dorothy (Calvin) Bergmeier, Wayne (Delores) Botz, and James (Shirley) Botz as well as numerous brothers and sisters in-law on the Elliott side of the family.

Bonnie is survived by her children Keenan (Linda) Elliott of Belleville, Kansas, Craig (Jeanette) Elliott of Courtland, Kansas, and Lecia Chaney of Kingwood, Texas.  She is survived by seven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren:  Matthew (Kelsey) Elliott, Jonathan, Spencer, and Leah of Kingwood, Texas;  Jennifer Elliott and Sophia, Solveigh, and Acacia Lang of Lawrence, Kansas;  Michael (Bonnie) Elliott, Jack and Roman of Ft. Worth, Texas; Nathan Elliott of Salina, Kansas; Nicole (Ryan) Bays, Elliott and Penelope of Lenexa, Kansas;  Elizabeth Chaney of Denver, Colorado, and Elliott McLain “Mac” Chaney of San Francisco, California.  She is also survived by sisters-in-law, Verlene Veteto of Courtland, Kansas, Eleanor Elliott of Anderson, California and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial Services will be Monday, November 20, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., at the Republic Community Church, burial will follow at Lake Cemetery, rural Republic.

In lieu of flowers, Bonnie requested memorials be made in her memory to the North Central Kansas Healthcare Foundation or the Rocky Pond Christmas Lighting Fund, Belleville, Kansas, and may be sent to Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, PO Box 566, Belleville, Kansas, 66935.

Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home is assisting the Elliott family with these arrangements, www.tibbettsfischerfuneralhome.com