Bonnie Marie Pegel, age 71 of Waupaca, passed away on Friday, February 23, 2024 at ThedaCare Medical Center in Waupaca.
Bonnie was born on February 24, 1952 to Guy “Jack” and Lois (Schafer) Kragh in Wausau, WI.
Growing up, Bonnie was a great lover of music and started playing piano at a young age. She played various instruments, including the trumpet, piano, and organ. She was known to accompany many soloists at solo and ensemble contests. She was the proud recipient of the John Philip Sousa Band Award her senior year of high school. Growing up with 4 brothers and 4 sisters taught her patience, resilience, and grit. She graduated from Manawa High School in 1970.
On September 29, 1972 she married Steven Pegel in Manawa, WI. Together they raised 3 daughters- Stacey, Shana, and Tara. Bonnie always strived to find an acceptable work/life balance, often working nights and weekends to accommodate her family.
Bonnie received her licensed practical nursing degree shortly after getting married, and later returned to school for her associates degree in nursing, graduating in 1988 from Fox Valley Technical College. She served as a labor and delivery nurse at Riverside Medical Center for well over 30 years, and continued nursing in various roles for several years after that. Bonnie helped to calmly deliver many babies in the Waupaca area, and served hundreds of mothers and families during their postnatal hospital stay.
In addition to playing many instruments, Bonnie loved singing as a blendable alto, known to always be in pitch. She helped form the Christian music group One Achord in 1994, traveling the area and providing music at church services, weddings, and other functions. This was one of Bonnie’s greatest loves and favorite pastimes. Bonnie, Pam, Laurel, and Lori provided amazing music to many and even recorded their arrangements on CD’s. These ladies held a special bond with each other and with God, in addition to being great friends.
Bonnie actively served Trinity Lutheran Church in Waupaca as a Church Council member, elder, visitation minister, worship leader, regular vocalist in the Trinity Choir and her One Achord quartet, longtime volunteer with children’s ministries, member of Abigail Circle, contributor to many church committees, voting member at synod assemblies, and coordinator of soup suppers. She was a tireless leader of women’s ministries at Trinity and in the larger East Central Synod of Wisconsin and Women of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America). She also had a passion for global mission, was a Lay School of Ministry graduate, and took part in the synod’s 2022 Holy Land trip.
Bonnie joyfully sang in the Waupaca Community Chorus for many years and was an integral part of their alto section.
Bonnie is survived by her husband Steven Pegel of Waupaca; children Stacey (Roger) Luedtke of Waupaca; Shana (Adam) Hussin of Kaukauna; Tara Stickles of Oshkosh; mother Lois Kragh of Waupaca; siblings Sue (David) Shaw of West Bend; Betty (Larry) Roth of Three Lakes; Paul Kragh of New Berlin; Steve (Stephanie) Kragh of Manawa; Sara Kragh-Morrison of Marquette, MI; Linda (Paul) Welch of Oconto; grandchildren Rachael and Ryan Luedtke, Paige, Hunter and Samuel Hussin, Caitlyn and Caylie Stickles; also many other relatives and friends. Bonnie was preceded in death by her father Jack Kragh, aunt Donna (Kragh) Rosenkranz, brothers Dale Kragh and Neal Kragh.
A memorial service and dedication to Bonnie’s life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waupaca, where Pastor Andy Behrendt will officiate. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM until the time of service at Trinity. Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements.