Marlee Elna Bonham
Marlee Elna Bonham passed away at Lassen Nursing Center in Susanville, California on April 20, 2017. She was 91 years old. Marlee was born in Ash Valley California at the home of parents George and Martha (Anderson) Randrup on September 24, 1925.
Her early years were spent in Janesville California . Her parents then moved to Doyle in 1940. Marlee attended Lassen High School, graduating in 1943. She was a Lassen County 4-H AllStar. She accomplished a year of junior college while driving the high school bus from Doyle to Susanville. From 1945 to 1946 she taught elementary school in Red Rock CA. Later her parents bought a ranch at the south end of Susanville.
She met her future husband, Jack Bonham at a New Year’s Eve dance in Doyle in 1943. They were married September 29, 1946 in Reno, Nevada. She and Jack lived on the Bonham cattle ranch at Round Hole, Nevada on the edge of the Smoke Creek Desert for 25 years. Husband Jack bought a small airplane and they flew all around northern Nevada, California and Idaho over the years. In 1971 they sold the ranch and moved to Susanville where they bought the 20 acre Randrup ranch from her mother. She remained there the rest of her life. Jack passed away on Jan 7, 2016.
Marlee was a talented ranch wife of her generation, sewing many of the clothes worn by her family. She had a great interest in cooking and loved trying new recipes. She won many ribbons with her delicious entries to the Lassen County Fair cooking competitions. She loved to buy and read new cookbooks.
Marlee was active in the Lassen County Farm Bureau serving as secretary for over 9 years.
She also served as the secretary for the Susanville and Johnstonville Farm Bureau for 6 years. For many years, she volunteered at the Home Economic Building at the Lassen County Fairs. In 1998 Marlee and Jack were selected Lassen County Fair Old Timers of the Year.
Marlee was a beloved mother, wife, grandmother and great grandmother. She will be missed by all. She is survived by sons Bill (Verlene) of Reno, daughter Susan (John), of Susanville, and son Jerry (LaDel) of Malin, Oregon, grandsons: Jake (Kari) of Tigard, Oregon; Zeke (Catherine) of Red Bluff California; Ethan of Malin, granddaughter Kara of Reno; great granddaughter Teagan of Tigard, great grandsons Cooper and Tristan of Red Bluff.
Marlee will be interned in a private ceremony at the Janesville Cemetery next to husband Jack and her parents. A memorial will be scheduled at a later date.
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