Bonnie Janet LILLIBRIDGE

TULSA, Okla. - Bonnie Janet Lillibridge Lanoue, 87, died Dec.16, 2005, in Tulsa, Okla. at home with her beloved family surrounding her.Mrs. Lanoue was a proud graduate of Pierre High School, Class of 1936, Pierre, S. D. Following graduation, this third-generation Republican worked at the South Dakota State House. During her eight-year career she worked in the Department of Tourism on the Mount Rushmore project and served as secretary to the Governor of South Dakota - all prior to her six-week engagement and subsequent marriage to "the love of her life," Lionel William "Bill" Lanoue on Oct. 20, 1944, at the Amarillo Army Air Base Chapel in Amarillo, Texas. They served in the U.S. Army for over 30 years and traveled the world. They were instrumental in starting and working in Christian churches wherever they were stationed. Lifelong supporters of missions, they opened their home as a "home away from home" to foreign missionaries from throughout Southeast Asia while stationed in Japan, Greece and Thailand. Mrs. Lanoue was a devout believer in the Restoration Movement and never waivered in her faith; converting her husband to Christ, teaching her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She shared Christ's love through singing, teaching and her servants' heart. Both Bonnie's mother and father were ministers, daughter Nancy partners in ministry with her husband, John, and their son, John William along with his wife, Brenda continue this heritage. Daughter Bonnie Dee, son Glenn and daughter-in-law Renee took their Christian service into their careers in education, the oil and gas industry, and nursing. Granddaughter Katrina inherited her grandmother's love and talent for music. All are active in their local churches. As Rev. 14:13b says, "they rest from their labors and their works do follow them ...." and in Mrs. Lanoue's case, from generation to generation. She was a member of many Christian churches throughout her life, most recently South Tulsa Christian Church, Tulsa, Okla., and attended Northside Christian Church, Broken Arrow, Okla. John Presko, her son-in-law, conducted the memorial service on Dec. 19, 2005, at Hayhurst Funeral Home, Broken Arrow, Okla., with internment to follow at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va.Bonnie is survived by her husband, Bill, of the home; two daughters, Nancy Janet (John) Presko, Lancaster, Ky.; Bonnie DeEtte Lanoue, Tulsa, Okla.; one son, Glenn William (Renee) Lanoue, Tulsa, Okla.; four grandchildren, John William (Brenda) Presko, Katrina Nicole Presko, Elizabeth DeEtte Lanoue and Evan William Lanoue; two great grandchildren, John Paul Presko and Brooklyn Joy Presko. of the Lillibridge line, Sheila Rae, Sharon Kay Andersen, William Glenn "Bill", Robert Perry "Bob," Frederick Wilferd, and Shelly DeEtte Gates, her brother Wilferd's children, along with nieces and nephews in California and Arizona. She was preceded in death by her parents, John Glenn and Janet Lillibridge; and three brothers, Wilferd, DeVillo, and Charles Lillibridge.Memorials may be made to: Victory Christian Church, 660 South Stanford Rd., Lancaster, Ky. 40444; Northside Christian Church, 1201 North Elm Place, Broken Arrow, OK 74012; or Saint Francis Hospice, 6600 S. Yale Ave., Suite 350, Tulsa, OK 74136. You can pay tribute to Bonnie or leave a word of encouragement to the family by visiting Hayhurstfuneralhome.com and clicking online tributes.