Lucy Marie Bonnette, born on May 24, 1933, in Bushnell, Nebraska to Jim and Elizabeth (Lesa) Sorensen passed peacefully on March 24, 2026, at the Rawlins Rehabilitation and Wellness Center. She was surrounded by her daughter Lesa and her honorary daughter Bernie. In the moments before her passing, Lucy listened to her favorite songs, to Lesa singing, and to her favorite scripture.

Lucy’s legacy lives on with her son Mike Bonnette and his wife Patty, her daughter Lesa Vasquez, and her honorary daughter Bernie Saueressig; her grandchildren, Josh Vasquez and his wife Kari, Kyle Bonnette and his wife Macarena, Sarah Bonnette, Zeneta Vasquez and her husband Luke; her great-grandchildren, Simon, Legend, Xaviera, Atticus, and Keynai. She is survived by her nephew Val Banta, her niece Laureena Evans and her husband Tom, her niece Shawna Connor, and her husband Butch, along with more nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, cousins, and extended family.

Those who preceded her in death are her parents Jim and Elizabeth Sorenson, her husband William (Bill) Bonnette, her brothers Paul Sorensen and Valdemar (Buster) Sorensen; her sisters Bonnie Zernikow, Dottie Beezley, and Nancy Sorensen.

Lucy graduated from Rawlins High School and attended the University of Wyoming, where she was working toward a Library of Science degree. She also attended the Police Academy in Douglas, Wyoming.

Lucy worked and helped build the library at the Mountain View Elementary School, as well as the library at the First Baptist Church. She proudly worked as a Police Dispatcher with the Rawlins Police Department for many years, where she gained many friends and chosen family. Lucy also went to teach, but ended up learning more, at the Seminole Indian Reservation. She acquired her special name, “Step Back into It,” through family on the reservation.

Lucy had a strong faith and was proud of her country and our American flag. She was proud of her husband for his service in the military and helped him to express his feelings and experiences of that time and being a POW. She served as a member of the VFW Women’s Auxiliary.

Lucy taught people around her to love and accept everyone. She loved nature and animals, especially trees, horses, frogs, and birds. She enjoyed all genres of music, especially country, with her favorites being The Oakridge Boys and Kevin McNevin. Other notable favorites included her son Mike, her daughter Lesa, her grandson Josh, and her granddaughter Zeneta; as she had very musical family. She also enjoyed playing the washtub bass in The Kitchen Band.

Lucy was funny and came up with many jokes, including explicit ones. She loved to read (finishing books in one day or two) and share many stories. Cooking with her was enjoyable, specially making homemade noodles and homemade sour cream cookies. Playing board games such as Monopoly, Scrabble, Yahtzee, and Dominos were her favorites, as well as playing cards. Even up into the lates hours of the night.

Later on in Lucy’s life, she had a mini-stroke, and she had to learn how to write again, with the help of her granddaughter Zeneta (unbeknownst to her) as she thought it was just for fun. Lucy was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 72 and she became a survivor. She gained more friends and family through the staff. During her time at the Rawlins Rehabilitation and Wellness Center, she obtained more friends and family.

Lucy was a “professional” dancer and enjoyed dancing very much, even throughout her older years and in her wheelchair too. She enjoyed crafts and passed that on to her grandchildren. She was artistic and loved to paint. She had her grandchildren, Kyle and Sarah, help her paint the fence in Encampment with flowers. Another notable hobby was crocheting which she made as gifts. Writing was another one of her joys, including a book (memoir) that she started for her children.

As per Lucy’s request, no services are planned. There will be a memorial luncheon that is in the works. Details are to be determined for the near future.

Thank you for reading about Lucy.