Bonnie Lee Gieswein

Bonnie Lee (Hertlein) Gieswein left this world to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on December 30, 2022 with her family by her side from a long struggle of cancer. 

She was welcomed in this world on March 8, 1931 during a blizzard to Ray and Lucy May (Greer) Hertlein. 

On June 22,1952 she married her high school sweetheart Robert Lee Gieswein. A great passion was being an elementary teacher for over 40 years. Her first job after finishing high school was teaching in a one room schoolhouse south of White City. Bonnie was the only teacher, in addition to being the janitor. She also taught in Delavan, Wilsey and then at Council Grove where she mainly taught the 4th grade. She spent most of her summers going to college, raising and butchering chickens and enjoyed gardening and canning. She completed her bachelor’s, master’s and specialist degrees in elementary education. She was only a few credits short to completing her doctorates degree and when she was asked why she didn’t complete it, she responded that she was just tired of school. Bonnie was very creative, and she spent many years crocheting and sewing. Her greatest joys were her children, grandkids and great grandkids. She developed a very special relationship with all her grandchildren. She was a very generous lady and had a soft heart for those in need. Many times, she gave without anyone knowing it was her. 

Bonnie will be very missed by her 4 children; Benton (Lucile) Gieswein of Maine, Martin (Suzette) Gieswein of Wyoming, Calvin Gieswein of Wilsey and Marci Gieswein of Delavan. She will be greatly missed by her 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a brother, John Hertlein and wife Ruby of Emporia. 

Bonnie was proceeded in death by her parents, sister Betty Lou (Hertlein) Roether, brother-in-law Edward “Chuck” Roether and an infant granddaughter. She will be welcomed with open arms at the golden gates by Robert Lee Gieswein, who was the love of her life for 70 years.  Robert passed away November 18, 2022.