Bonnie Rose Doerfler, age 83, passed away on April 30, 2026. She was born on July 22, 1942, daughter of George and Rose (Zuhse) Sim in Palintine, IL. Bonnie met a friend of a friend while on a double date-it was providential for that young man turned out to be the love of her life. On June 10, 1961, she married John T. Doerfler and they settled in Appleton to raise their family. She worked as a controller for many years at Rich’s Bakery.

Bonnie loved the annual family trip to St Germaine, and in later years, she enjoyed going to Lighthouse on the Lake. A true Wisconsinite, (though she was a transplant at the age of 5) Bonnie loved her Brandy. She enjoyed long family drives to see the sights and enjoy the beauty of nature. She was always intrigued by waterfalls, and the natural beauty of the earth. She enjoyed watching game shows, with a favorite being Wheel of Fortune. Bonnie had a sweet tooth and loved to raid her stash of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. She also enjoyed anything lemon-from lemon bars to lemon candy. She enjoyed those sweet treats right up to the end.

Bonnie had a special place in her heart for furry creatures. She loved her many kitties and dogs through her life and was known to scratch the heads of any pet who would come share her chair. The light of her later life was her grandchildren and great grandchildren! Her face absolutely lit up anytime they came to visit! Bonnie’s son and son-in-law would often play practical jokes on her-from rearranging her kitchen cupboards or removing labels from her canned goods. Family truly was everything to her!

Bonnie is survived by her children: Jeff (Linda) Doerfler and Jody (Peter) Running; grandchildren Travis Doerfler, Andrew (Cassandra) Running and Brittany (Sam) Braaten; great grandchildren: Dallas, Elijah, Atticus “Gus”, Jacqueline, Cohen; brother George (Gerri) Sim III; sister Candace (Craig) Danielson, sister-in-law Dee Sim, as well as nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband John, great granddaughter Bryanna Running, her parents, her brother Bruce Sim and her father and mother-in-law John and Mary Jane (Kilpatrick) Doerfler.

A funeral service for Bonnie will take place on Thursday May 14, 2026, at 1:00pm at Wichmann Funeral Home, 537 N Superior Street, Appleton. Friends and family may gather at the funeral home from 10:00am until the service begins. Bonnie will be entombed at Highland Memorial Park, Appleton.

Bonnie’s family would like to thank the staff and nurses of ThedaCare at Home Hospice as well as Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) for their tireless and compassionate assistance.

In lieu of flowers a memorial fund will be established.