Bonita Hartjes

 Bonita M. “Bonnie” Hartjes, age 92, passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 21, 2026. She was born on April 25, 1933, daughter of the late Paul and Harriette (Verkuilen) Kostka. On August 25, 1953, Bonnie married Gerald “Spec” Hartjes at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Little Chute. They celebrated 66 years of marriage before his passing in 2019.

Bonnie and Spec moved out to Lake Poygan in their retirement and enjoyed many years on the lake. Her greatest joy was her family. Bonnie loved to support her children and grandchildren in all of their activities. She enjoyed baking, gardening, fishing and traveling. Bonnie was an accomplished seamstress and knitter who enjoyed sharing her talents with her family, friends and St. Johns Mission Club.

Bonnie is survived by her 9 children: Sue (Wayne) Wegner, Jill (Steve) Duncan, Lee Hartjes, Keith Hartjes, Nanci Klanderman, Mary (John) Theisen, Jay (Mary Sue) Hartjes, Mark (Cheryl) Hartjes and Kris (Chris) Elrick; 16 grandchildren: Mike, Katie, Jason, Natalie, Amy, Heather, Alex, Kyle, Amanda, Brian, Katie, Jennie, Deanna, Emma, Hannah and David; 19 great grandchildren; brother, Jardy Kostka; sister, Janet Ertl; sister-in-law, Florence Kostka; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her husband, Spec; her parents; son-in-law, Dean Klanderman; grandson Cory Fritz, Spec’s parents, Dewey and Viola Hartjes; siblings: Butch (Beth) Kostka, Millie (Paul) Gailey, Susie Russ, Gary Kostka, Maryanne (Bob) Schmidt and Don Kostka; brothers and sisters-in-law: Mary Kostka, Bob Wildenberg, Tom Ertl, Grace Hartjes, Bob (Mary Jane) Hartjes, Jim (Florence) Hartjes

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 6, 2026, at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church, 411 Vandenbroek Street, Little Chute. Visitation will be at the church on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, a memorial is being established to benefit the St. John Mission Club. Interment will be in St. John Cemetery. For online condolences, please visit www.verkuilenfh.com.

The Hartjes family would like to extend a special thank you to the staffs of Country Villa and Moments Hospice for all of the compassionate care.