Mildred "Millie" Bonsen

Mildred (Millie) Campbell Bonsen (95) was born in Seattle, Washington to Ken and Bodil Campbell joining her siblings, Ruth, Doug and Richard. Moving to the Deming area to a small farm as a young girl and attending school in the Mt. Baker District, Millie loved the outdoors, played sports and made many lifetime friends from her community. In her senior year at Mt. Baker High School, Millie met Donald (Bud) Bonsen at a school dance. She was in the school band and was wearing her kilt and band outfit and Bud, home on leave from the Navy, was wearing his Navy uniform. They married in October 1947, moved to Lynden and raised two sons, Rick and Dane Bonsen.

Millie was a homemaker and also operated the Lynden Liquor store for many years. Retiring in 1983, Bud and Millie remodeled their beach cabin at Sandy Point into their permanent home. They loved living on the beach, fishing and crabbing and enjoyed friends and the community. Millie enjoyed traveling on cruises and made several trips to Hawaii, Mexico, Europe and South America. When she wasn’t traveling, Millie played card games and hosted many happy hours with her longtime friends from Lynden and Sandy Point. She also volunteered at the Assistance League of Bellingham for many years. Millie maintained a beautiful garden at her home and worked in her flower beds every chance she could. She had an eclectic decorating style for her gardens and was happy to share her gardening knowledge at the Sandy Point Garden Walk every summer.

Millie was predeceased by her husband of 71 years, parents and siblings and her beloved son Rick Bonsen. She is survived by her son Dane (Ina) Bonsen, grandson Tucker Kraght of Federal Way, sister-in-law, Marilyn Campbell of Seattle and many nieces and nephews.

Thank you to Louisa Place and Solstice for caring for Millie for the past seven years and a special thank you to Whatcom Hospice who provided her comfort at the end of her life.

Millie loved parties and get togethers, but at her request there will not be a memorial service