Bonnie Joette Holmes, 83, of Wichita, KS, passed away peacefully the afternoon of March 7th, 2026, surrounded by family.  She was born on June 24th, 1942, to John and Nadine Maxim. Bonnie Jo grew up in Kansas City, Kansas, and graduated from Argentine High School in 1960.  She attended Kansas State University, earning a bachelor's degree in Home Economics in 1964.  During that time, she met Ken Holmes at a concert at Wichita State in 1963; they got married two years later.  Bonnie Jo's early career was as diverse as her interests. She worked as a librarian, taught high school home economics, and even gave cooking classes and microwave demonstrations for the Gas Service Company.  She eventually returned to college and earned a master's degree in Educational Psychology and Counseling. After working briefly for an adoption agency, she left the workforce to become a homemaker and raise her boys, Jon and Kendal.  In 1985, she returned to the workforce at Starkey, where she taught independent living skills to adults with disabilities and later served as a house manager until her retirement in 2004. Bonnie Jo loved to travel.  Her adventures took her across the United States and to numerous countries, including Algeria, Spain, Japan, the Philippines, China, Taiwan, India, Pakistan, South Korea, Germany, Romania, and Israel. Bonnie Jo was a supporter of the arts who enjoyed her season passes to the Wichita Symphony and Wichita Music Theater. Her spiritual life was centered at First United Methodist Church, where she was a dedicated member for over 55 years. She served on many mission trips and was a cherished part of the Hand in Hand Sunday School class and the Apple Core Bible study group.  Bonnie Jo was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 59 years, Ken Holmes, brother JL Maxim, and sister Marsha Hewson.  She is survived by sons Jon (Loralee) and Kendal (Jennifer), and her five grandchildren: Colter, Emma, Hayden, Kenton, and Lacey.

A celebration of life will be held from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. Sunday, April 26, 2026, at Park Villa Pavilion in Riverside Park, 1029 N. Bitting St., Wichita, KS. 67203