Bonnie J. Shippee

Bonnie J. Shippee, age 78, of Oshkosh, passed away on Sunday, January 17, 2021 at Aurora Medical Center in Oshkosh. She was born in Oshkosh on November 14, 1942 to the late George and Evelyn (Nichols) Peerenboom.

She loved her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren more than anything and spent countless hours babysitting, visiting, transporting, and just simply “loving them up.” They were the absolute joy of her life. Bonnie loved children so much that she raised foster babies for Catholic Social Services in the ‘70s. The one thing she loved almost as much as her family was a good laugh. She was the first person her family and friends would call with a funny story or situation and she would laugh just as hard with you and share the funny story with others. It’s no surprise that she died unexpectedly while laughing with her husband of 58 years who she met in Kansas City, MO while working as a flight attendant while he was in the air force.

After meeting Bob (originally from Watertown, NY), they moved back to Oshkosh, WI where they raised three kids; Todd, Ty, and Tina. She obtained her license as a real estate broker, was a surgical technician, unit clerk in the emergency room and a physician referral manager. Anything she would put her mind and determination into would surprise everyone with how great it would be. One day, she decided she wanted to take up painting that resulted in the most beautiful landscape portraits, surprising everyone with her newfound talent. Bob and Bonnie were also members of the Socialables dance club in the ‘60s and ‘70s.

She had a brilliant mind, an incredible wit, and easily laughed at herself. She had an incredible ability to listen to people and their stories, always soaking in the moment. She was also great at texting and would text with her grandkids almost daily, she was skilled with using the perfect emoji and facetiming! She had a sweet, uplifting, and positive voice that could transform your day and make you feel better instantly along with the perfect advice and wisdom when necessary. In 2000, Bob and Bonnie sold their “house on the hill” which was a constant hub of activity and fun for kids from sledding to mini-biking, go-carts, and more! Their “lake people” friends at their cottage in Neshkoro was another whole chapter of fun in their family life full of more adventures, friends and memories than could ever be written here. Moving to a condo allowed them to enjoy bus trips all around the country, dominos tournaments, and “missions” the family would send them on, including chasing down a hard to find Christmas present to buying a 100 horsepower tractor in her 70’s at an auction in place of her son who was on duty as a firefighter.

Bonnie is survived by her loving husband, Robert; children Todd (Patti) Shippee, Ty (Mari Lou) Shippee, and Tina (Ray) Reinders; six grandchildren: Jennifer (Adam) Malarick, Jacob (Christina) Reinders, Emily (fiancé Charles Rockefeller) Shippee, Abigail Shippee, Megan (Damon) McHugh, Josh Shippee; six great-grandchildren: Jensen, Adler, Rowen, Jack, Amber, Alison, and one on the way, Miles; sister-in-law, Mary Ann (Eddie) Barry; niece, Donna Barry; and nephew, Mark (Maryann) Barry. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her niece, Susan Hatchell.

In accordance with Bonnie’s wishes, no formal funeral services will be held. A private family graveside service will take place at Ellenwood Cemetery. The family would like to thank Aurora medical center ER and ICU staff for the kind and gentle care. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital would be appreciated.