Bonnie Lou Austin

Bonnie Lou Austin, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend of Waukee, Iowa, passed away on April 12, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa, after a sudden illness, surrounded by those she loved at age 77. Her formal name was Bonita Lou, but she always went by Bonnie.

Bonnie was born on August 22, 1947, to Edwin Frederick Hoff and Bertha Hoff in Eureka, South Dakota, and was the second oldest of five children. She grew up working hard on her parent’s farm and graduated from Eureka High School in 1965. She spent her early years learning in a one-room schoolhouse on the farm, and Bonnie’s children loved to see the old schoolhouse and hear stories about it.

She went on to study at Westmar College in Le Mars, Iowa where she earned her college degree. At Westmar she met her sweetheart, Don Austin, and they married at Eureka, South Dakota, on September 29, 1968. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple.

After college, Bonnie worked as a math teacher for a short time as her husband Don served in the Marine Corps and in the Vietnam war. Upon Don’s return from Vietnam, they lived in North Carolina where they joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This decision was a great blessing and guiding light for their lives and their children’s lives. Don and Bonnie moved to Kansas City in 1970 and welcomed their first three children. The family relocated to the Des Moines, Iowa area in 1979 following the death of Don’s mother, Shirley, and Bonnie was blessed with three more boys.

Bonnie was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served faithfully in several callings over the years. Perhaps her favorite was serving as an Ordinance Worker in the Winter Quarters Temple with her husband. Bonnie loved to sing and regularly participated in the ward choir. She served as a seminary teacher teaching many young men and young women during her life.

Bonnie was gifted at math, and she worked diligently for many years as a math tutor. She had a lifetime love of gardening and enjoyed doting on her grandchildren. She especially loved holding her newborn grandchildren and reading them books as they grew. Bonnie loved genealogy and to search out her ancestors and their histories.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents, Edwin and Bertha Hoff, and her husband, Donald Udyne Austin. She is survived by her siblings, Sherry (Wade) Winters, Kathryn (David) Glader, Gail (Dale) Duenwald, and Gary (Joan) Hoff; children: Marc (Tami), Michelle Greene, Monae (Aaron) Starbuck, Michael (Desirea), Matthew (Nicole), and Mitchell (Michelli); 30 grandchildren who she adored; and one great-granddaughter, Eden.

For all who wish to pay their respects, a visitation/viewing will be held Sunday, April 20, 2025 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Ernst Funeral Home, Waukee. A funeral will be held Monday, April 21, 2025 at 9:30 a.m., with visitation/viewing one hour prior, both at Raccoon River Ward Chapel (LDS), 400 SE Pleasant Drive, Waukee, IA 50263. Following the funeral service, interment will be at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery, Adel. Bonnie's funeral service will be live-streamed and can be viewed via: https://zoom.us/j/93265664033?pwd=AaCPkqgi4h8PuQ5chgEbajSaxDKkcw.1 (Meeting ID: 932 6566 4033 Passcode: 004082)

Memorial donations may be made in Bonnie's memory to: Hope Ministries (www.hopeiowa.org). Ernst Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Waukee has been entrusted with Bonnie's final arrangements.