Obituary: Bonnie Jean Stratton, 94, The Dalles

Bonnie Jean Stratton

A wonderful mother, loving spouse and one with many friends around the world. Bonnie passed away recently at home on July 16, 2026. She had been struggling with a health issue for many years and is now in a place where she can relax and enjoy the comfort of family and friends that passed before her.

Bonnie was born in Wichita, Kansas in 1932 to her loving parents Denny and Edna. Her father worked in the aircraft industry and along with her older brother Harlan, their family moved to various locations throughout the western USA during her youth.

Bonnie attended and graduated from High School in Long Beach, California. She had a creative mind and while in school, she earned her varsity letter in Theater Costume Design. After graduating Bonnie met the love of her life, Theodore (Ted) Stratton. Bonnie was a homemaker raising their three children, Teddy, Deborah and Shawn. When the youngest child was old enough, Bonnie took a part time job to supplement their household income.

When Ted's work for the space industry ended in 1969, and with limited opportunity in the area, Bonnie, Ted and their two youngest children, Deborah and Shawn moved to Colorado. In Colorado, Bonnie maintained her home crafting abilities making clothing, sweaters, jackets, curtains and many more unique projects. Because times were financially difficult, Bonnie returned to part time work and continued to benefit the family.

In the mid 1970's, Ted was offered a job in Puerto Rico for an oil & gas company. Bonnie happily began the process of preparing to move again, something that Bonnie was very good at. In early 1975, Bonnie, Ted and Shawn their youngest child, flew off to Puerto Rico. Bonnie relished in the tropical environment and her creativity was inspiring. Later that year, Ted was offered another opportunity with the same company he was currently working for. This other offer meant moving again only this time to Alaska.

So in October of 1975 Bonnie and Shawn flew up to Alaska with a loving pug named Cinder. Bonnie again thrived in the new environment. She loved living in an area where the ladies all got together doing various and creative new things. Bonnie stayed very busy continuing with her crafting projects, and she also was able have time to begin painting and to learn the new craft of Japanese Bunka.

When the project in Alaska wound down, Bonnie, Ted and Shawn, along with two dogs, then headed south to Texas where Bonnie and Shawn took up residence while Ted was overseas working in the Middle East. Bonnie stayed busy supporting Shawn while he was in high school, and she continued to learn, and later become a certified master of the craft of Japanese Bunka.

In about 1980, Ted accepted a job doing work for a company in Denver and so Bonnie coordinated the move north. She looked forward to the move because it would place her closer to her daughter Deborah who was living with her family in the area. Bonnie and Ted bought a home in the Denver region and Bonnie enjoyed being near her new grandchildren and staying busy with her Bunka projects as well as many other household improvement and craft projects. Also during this time, Bonnie and Ted took trips to Hawaii, Australia, Fiji and Canada.

In the late 1980's Ted's work took him and Bonnie back to California. During this time Bonnie began making custom cat carry bags when her daughter indicated that she needed a carry bag for her new cat that she was taking to cat shows. It wasn't long before Bonnie's cat bags became popular and over the next few years, she made and sold over a hundred bags. After a couple of years, when Bonnie and Ted had again moved, this time to home on a lake in Atascocita, Texas, Bonnie got interested in, and began showing Long Haired Persian Cats herself. She later had a cat that she took to the National CFA finals in St. Louis, where the cat was awarded Grand Champion status.

In 1999, when Bonnie and Ted were enjoying their senior years, Ted contracted and was diagnosed with advanced cancer. Sadly, Ted passed away later that year in November. Fortunately Bonnie had the support of her three children and was able to cope with the sadness. Shawn left his home in Alaska and moved down to Texas where he supported Bonnie in her being able to relax and decide what her future would be like. During this time she also had the support of her good friends in Texas and elsewhere in the country.

In 2000, Bonnie decided that she would like to be closer to her daughter and her grand children, and so with Shawn's support, she sold her home in Texas and moved to Reno, Nevada. Bonnie, being a person who always thrived when facing a new adventure really enjoyed being in Reno. She purchased a home there and met a neighbor, Judy who became a very good friend and introduced Bonnie to the art of Egg Carving. During this time she also became involved in the Reno Newcomers Club and took trips to Russia and Europe.

A few years later when Bonnie's good friend moved away and her daughter and husband had moved north to the Seattle area, and her granddaughters, who were now adults had moved away, Bonnie decided to move again, up to a place around where her brother, Harlan was now living. This place would also allow her to be closer to her daughter. Along with Shawn's help, Bonnie made another move up to The Dalles. A move that turned out to be to a location where she resided the longest.

Bonnie enjoyed being in The Dalles and made good friends here. She was asked to help out at The Dalles Art Center, a task that she really enjoyed. It allowed her to become involved with the art community, but also to begin practicing her art painting. During this period, she also continued to make hand carved egg art pieces, as well as learning how to felt yarn and make clothing and handbags, and she stayed busy with many of the creative home craft items that she always excelled at doing. Bonnie also took several trips internationally during this time to the Caribbean, Canada, Italy, Germany and England.

As Bonnie became affected by her mental illness, she passionately wanted to continue with making and creating things. Although she could perform many of the basic tasks as if on auto pilot, it became more and more difficult for her to fulfill her desires.

Bonnie lived a very good and adventuresome life. As she declined, Bonnie spent more and more of her time at home where on July 16, 2026, she passed away in relative peace.

Bonnie is survived by her eldest son, Ted, daughter Deborah, and youngest son, Shawn. They all three, miss her greatly.

Bonnie will be interred with her loving husband Ted, in a location that they chose together.

In memory of Bonnie, please feel free to visit The Dalles Art Center and donate to their support of maintaining the creativity of the mind, body and spirit.