Bonnie Mae (Swerkstrom) Baranski

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother Bonnie Mae Baranski died in her home in Beasley, Texas on August 29, 2024. She was 81 years old. Bonnie was born on a very cold day in Frederic, Wisconsin on January 9, 1943; born to Stanley Marvin Swerkstrom (1911-1988) and Dorthea Barbara Liesch Swerkstrom (1910-1999). Bonnie attended Alabama Grade School until the eighth grade and graduated from Luck High School in 1961. In her early twenties, Bonnie relocated to Stillwater, Minnesota shortly after graduating from high school where she worked at 3M as an administrative assistant for a few years. Bonnie desired to escape the cold of the Midwest. She moved to Jacksonville, Florida to enjoy the sunny beaches and breezy nights. Bonnie met John Paul Baranski (1940-2002) from Houston, Texas while working as a secretary at Shell Oil company. They were married in Luck, Wisconsin on June 7, 1969. The happy couple settled in Houston after they were married. Soon after settling in, Bonnie gave birth to three girls: Shawn, Cheryl, and Shannon. In 1974, Bonnie and John relocated to Guthrie, Oklahoma. In 1976, Bonnie gave birth to Shane, the only son. They resided in Oklahoma until 1982 when they returned to Texas to live in Beasley. Bonnie worked multiple jobs over the years to supplement her husband’s income. She was an active member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church for many years and loved being a part of the church choir. Bonnie enjoyed the simple things in life, she was a self- made “master” gardener, she loved scrapbooking, listening to classical music, playing the piano, sewing, watching the Houston Astros win and most of all being a wife, mother and grandmother. Bonnie is survived by her siblings; Shirley Junker, Marty Swerkstrom, Mary Lou Junker, Pat Swerktrom and James “Buz” Swerkstrom, her children Shawn and son-in-law Donald Self, Cheryl and son-in-law Ashley Fuhrmann, Shannon Baranski, and Shane Baranski. Grandchildren; Samantha Parsons, John Micheal and Olivia Furhmann, Holly, Natalie, Eric, Justin, Stephen, Katelyn, Brian, and great-granddaughter, Lena. Bonnie’s funeral will be held on Friday, September 20th at Holy Rosary Catholic Church at 1416 George Street Rosenberg, TX 77471 at 10:00 a.m., a luncheon reception will follow the mass, burial services will follow the reception at Forest Park Lawndale at 6900 Lawndale Houston, Texas 77023 at 3:00 p.m. While flowers are welcome, the family would appreciate assistance with funeral costs for Bonnie. If you would like to donate to the funeral funds, please contact the family or use the following Venmo: @Cheryl-Fuhrmann.

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Bonnie Mae (Swerkstrom) Baranski

January 9, 1943 - August 29, 2024