Bonnie Smola, 71, of Port Charlotte Florida passed away unexpectedly on April 7th at Sarasota Memorial Hospital with her husband Joe at her side.

Bonnie was born June 24,1954 to Donald and Carol (Foreman)Jaeger in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1972. She attended Augsburg college and graduated in 1976 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. She later attended Blacksburg University where she studied law.

She married Walter DeYoung in 1977 and traveled the United States. Their son Chado was born in 1984 and they settled in Naples, Florida. There she attained her licensed practical nursing degree and then moved to Zebulon North Carolina. In September 1996 Walt died in the aftermath of Hurricane Fran. Bonnie and Chado moved to Three Lakes Wisconsin to be closer to family.

It was there that she met her husband Joe, marrying him on October 21,2006, making their home in Eagle River Wisconsin. After retiring from St. Mary’s Hospital in Rhinelander, she enjoyed volunteering at the local VFW where she was a proud member of the Auxiliary. Bonnie loved to cook and generously shared meals with her family and friends. She enjoyed traveling, gardening, canning and freezing her harvest. In 2022 Bonnie and Joe made their home in Port Charlotte Florida to enjoy the warmth and sunshine for the remainder of their retirement.

She is survived by her husband Joseph Smola, her sisters Lori (Chuck)Hunter of Sugar Camp WI, Wendy Borowski and Penny Bialek of Plainfield, WI, her grandson Eli, her granddaughter Audrey, many nephews, nieces, cousins and much-loved friends. Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents, Don and Carol Jaeger, her husband Walter DeYoung, her son Chado DeYoung, her niece Cassandra Nemecek, her nephew Joshua Bellin, two brother’s in-law Dale Borowski and John Bialek.

Arrangements by Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory Port Charlotte Chapel.