Obituaries : Bonita “Bonnie” Louise Ott

Bonita "Bonnie" Louise Ott, 75, of Sunnycrest Manor in Dubuque, Iowa, passed away peacefully Wednesday morning, April 13, 2022, at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa.

She was born on Dec. 10, 1946, in Sandusky, Ohio, and graduated from St Mary's Catholic High School in 1964.

In 1965, she entered the Dominican Convent, known as Sister Elise. She left the convent in 1967 and joined the Women's Army Corps six months later.

She served as a U.S. Army clerk during Vietnam from 1968 to 1969. She was proud to use her calligraphy skills in filling out the Medal of Honor and other award certificates for her fellow soldiers.

She married Edward Busler (deceased) of Vinton, Iowa, in 1969, and had three daughters with him before divorcing in 1973. It was a blessing she remained friends with his family, him and his next wife, Beverly (Samaritoni) Busler.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Murita (Westerhold) Ott; her brother, Leonard Ott, her sister and brother-in-law, Kathleen and Francis Durso; and her brother-in-law, Howard "Bunk" Trautman.

She is survived by her children and grandchildren, Dianna (Busler) Perl and her children Devon Cancian and Aaron Perl; Donna (Busler) Welch (Iowa) and her children, Travis Cullen (Iowa), Trevor Cullen (Virginia), Dylan Cullen (Wisconsin), Cassaundra (Welch) (Andre) Morrow (North Carolina) and Nakia Welch (Iowa) and Rebecca (David) Schulze (Iowa). She is also survived by her siblings, David (Barb) Ott, Laureen (Louis) Bartlebaugh, Jerilyn (John) Wassner, Julie (Robert) Hamilton, Russel (Dodie) Ott, Malia Ott, all of Ohio, Ronan (Elizabeth) Ott of Florida and Marsianne (Ott) Miranda of Maryland.

As per her wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral. A private celebration of life will be with family and close friends at a later date.

Our thanks to Leonard Funeral Home in Dubuque, Iowa, for helping us navigate everything. Huge heartfelt thanks to everyone at Sunnycrest Nursing Home in Dubuque, Iowa, for the constant care, concern and support they not only showed for Bonnie but for her family, especially Donna.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation P.O. Box 5014 Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014; or The Veterans Freedom Center 2245 Kerper Blvd Dubuque, IA 52001