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Bonnie Belva Eilert, a spirited, determined, and deeply caring woman, passed away at her beloved farm on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the age of 96.
Born on January 26, 1929, in Baxter, Iowa, Bonnie was the daughter of James Weaver and Carrie Belle (Miller) Swalwell. She grew up with a strong sense of community and hard work, graduating from Newton Senior High School with the class of 1947.
On April 8, 1949, Bonnie married the love of her life, Roy William Eilert, in a ceremony at her parents’ home. She dedicated many years as a secretary at John Deere Company while also passionately engaging in community service. A lifelong advocate for agriculture and rural life, Bonnie was a proud member of the Sugar Grove Grange for over 60 years and served as chairwoman of the Farm Bureau and was a member for 65 years. She volunteered for over four decades as the keeper of the First Church key at the Iowa State Fair, a place dear to her heart.
Bonnie’s love for music and history shone through her involvement in the Jasper County Chorus and her many roles in the Mingo Centennial Celebration. Her warm spirit, resilience, and dedication to family and community left a lasting impression on everyone who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Roy; her daughter and son-in-law, Sheryl and Terry Beals; and her siblings, Alva Swalwell, Mildred Snodgrass, Grace Kling, Wayne Swalwell, and James Swalwell.
Those left to honor Bonnie’s memory include her grandchildren, Richard (Lana) Beals and Carrie (Larry) Bregar; and her great grandkids, Ryan Beals, Kayla Gragg, Avery Lees, Danica Linn (Treyton Casper), Cadence Linn and Allan Bregar.
A celebration of Bonnie’s life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, March 28, 2025, at Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home in Newton. The service will be broadcast live on the funeral home’s Facebook page. Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m. before the service.
In honor of Bonnie’s lifelong dedication to the Iowa State Fair, memorial contributions may be made to the fair and left at the funeral home.
Bonnie lived a life full of love, laughter, and service—a legacy that will continue to inspire all who knew her.