February 19, 2016
LAWRENCE – Lavonne Marie “Bonnie” Abram, 70, of Lawrence, KS passed away Friday, February 19, 2016 at her home. She was born June 26, 1945 in Holton, KS the daughter of Theodore Breitigan and Mercedes M. Tuckwin and step-daughter of Kenneth A. Degand.
Bonnie graduated from Delia High School and attended Haskell Institute. She had lived in the Lawrence community since 1977 and previously in Topeka and Meriden. Bonnie retired from Indian Health Services at Haskell University in 2004; she was currently an independent contractor for Indian Health Services.
Bonnie was a member of Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church, Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and was also active in Haskell Alumni Association. Bonnie took a lot of pride in helping to raise her siblings; they referred to her as “step-mom”.
She married James C. Abram, they later divorced. Bonnie is survived by her longtime companion, Curtis Wright; 3 sons, Darren Abram (Brandi) of Linwood, KS, Mike Abram (Christina) of Eudora, KS and Brian Abram (Kari) of Eudora, KS; 3 sisters, Connie Smith of Mayetta, KS, Maureen Throssell (Kevin) of Mayetta, KS and Cheryl Gillaspie of Lawrence, KS; 3 brothers, Dennis Degand of Mayetta, KS, Greg Degand (Sally) of Topeka, KS and Jimmy Degand (Cindy) of Mayetta, KS; 13 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 23, 2016 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Mayetta. Burial will follow in the Shipshee Cemetery. Rosary will be 6:00 p.m. Monday evening, February 22, 2016 at Sister Therese Klepac Hall at Our Lady of the Snows west of Mayetta. Family will greet friends at the hall following the rosary. Memorials may be given to Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.