Donna (Bonnie) Mae Nelson, age 74, of Wolf Point, MT went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, September 5, 2009.
Bonnie was born May 23, 1935 in Poplar, MT. She was the oldest sibling of three children born to James A. Boyd and Florence D. Iron Ring and was the granddaughter of the late Chief Santee Iron Ring who gave her the Indian name Hona `Hònpi Win meaning “Hears the Voice.”
Bonnie lived on a farm in Snohomish, WA with her grandparents, William and Meta Boyd, in her earlier years. She later attended boarding schools in both Busby, MT and Flandreau, SD. Bonnie then moved to Poplar where she met and then married Ervin B. Azure. Of this marriage they had nine children: Ervin (Norma) Azure, Robert (Victoria) Azure, Brenda (Alex) Calder, Curtis (Angie) Azure, Paula Azure (Roger White), Cindy (Jimmy) Welch, Melvin Azure, Julie Azure and Craig (Sandi-Lee) Azure. Years later, after the death of their father, she then met and married Gary Nelson, and out of this marriage was born her son, Michael Nelson. Bonnie had 30 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren.
During Bonnie’s earlier years she had worked various jobs, but was mainly a wife and homemaker. She gave her life totally to raising her children, being both a mother and a father to them. Bonnie had surrendered the rest of her life to serving Jesus on September 21, 1991. Bonnie served her Lord and Savior faithfully giving of her time, finances and prayers generously to whoever and wherever she found a need. Bonnie was a great example of living a spiritual life and her passion was to minister the gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost. Bonnie was active in Blue Sky Ministries always exhorting and encouraging people with her testimonies and smiling face. Bonnie truly lived her life as being a spiritual leader and also ministering in the jails.
Bonnie is survived by all her children: Ervin (Norma) Azure of Wolf Point, Robert (Victoria) Azure of Havre, MT, Brenda (Alex) Calder, Curtis (Angie) Azure, Paula Azure (Roger White), Cindy (Jimmy) Welch, Melvin Azure, Julie Azure and Craig (Sandi-Lee) Azure, and Michael Nelson, all of Wolf Point; her sister Mavis Martell of Wolf Point; half-brother Boyd Boyd of Australia; and several half-sisters.
Bonnie was preceded in death by her first husband Ervin Azure, her parents, a brother Wayne Boyd, a sister Myrna Boyd and Aunts and Uncles.
Visitation will be 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at Blue Sky Ministries with an Evening Service at 7:00 p.m. and Funeral Service at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, September 10, 2009 at Blue Sky Ministries.
Pastor Kenny Azure will be officiating with interment at St. Ann’s Cemetery, Poplar, MT.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.stevensonandsons.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.