Bonnie Mateka Ratterman died in St. George, Utah, on Oct. 28. She was born on Nov. 21, 1950, to Elwyn (Mutt) and Mary (Ann) Mateka, joining an older brother, Gary, at the family home in Columbia Falls.
After attending schools in Columbia Falls and graduating from CFHS, she attended the University of Montana, where she earned her teaching degree. Her elementary teaching was done in Evanston, where she met her future husband, Greg Ratterman. She enjoyed her years in kindergarten, where her heart never graduated and held years of good memories for her.
After retirement, they moved to St. George to enjoy the warm weather and sunshine atop the red rocks overlooking the city.
Bonnie is survived by Greg, at the family home; and nephew, Terry, and family in Spokane. She is also survived by countless children who loved her and called her “teacher.”
She was preceded in death by her parents, Mutt and Ann; and her brother, Gary.
In lieu of flowers, it would be nice to remember Bonnie by hugging a kid, wearing your favorite jewelry that sits in a box, shopping till you drop and ending the day with a cup of your favorite hot tea flavored with honey. Oh, yes, don’t forget to eat the See’s candy or that bag of dark chocolate peanut M&Ms, too!
Graveside inurnment for Bonnie will be held at Glacier Memorial Gardens in the spring.
Family and friends are invited to share tributes online. Arrangements and memorial tree planting by Serenity Funeral Home of Southern Utah, 435-986-9100.
