Bonnie Vera Ellis, 80, of Waterloo, died April 28, 2015, in St. Louis.

She was born August 9, 1934, in Glenridge, Ill., daughter of the late John and Vera Kretzer (nee Pattijohn).

She married Glen L. Ellis in Centralia, Ill., on March 3, 1953. She was a full time mother and homemaker for many years, later deciding to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse.

She worked at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville as a labor and delivery nurse for 21 years from 1975 to 1996.

Bonnie was an active member of her church her whole life. She was baptized in the Marshall Creek beside the Marshall Creek Baptist Church in Fredonia, Ill.. She raised her family in the church and was a member of First Baptist Church of Waterloo since 1965.

Bonnie was an avid reader, gardener and seamstress making many clothes for her family. After retiring she learned to weave and made many beautiful things. She also had an extensive porcelain bird collection.

Bonnie was famous for her peach pies, other wonderful cooking, and numerous acts of kindness.

She is survived by her children Peggy Ellis of Belleville, Glenda (Ron) Beasley of Dade City, Fla., Clayton Ellis of Dickson, Tenn., Brian (Linda) Ellis of Chesterfield, Mo., and Lori Ellis of Waterloo; grandchildren Martha Maria (Matt) Kinney of Mesa, Ariz., and Bonnie Elizabeth Cochran (fiance Danny Canter) of Dickson, Tenn.; great-grandchildren Courtney and Boston Cochran and Ariel, Owen, and Mariska Kinney; along with nieces, nephews and many friends .

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Glen L. Ellis; brothers Harold, Martin, George and William Kretzer; and sisters-in-law Pauline Kretzer, Reba White, Katie Kretzer, Pauline Vander Pluym and Eileen Kretzer.

Visitation will be Friday, May 1, from 5 to 8 p.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home, and Saturday, from 10 to 11 a.m., at First Baptist Church of Waterloo.

Funeral services will be at the church, with Pastor Steve Neill officiating.

Interment will follow at Kolmer Memorial Cemetery, Waterloo.

As an expression of sympathy memorials may be made to American Cancer Society or First Baptist Church of Waterloo Building Fund.