Bonnie Rose Barrett, Mrs. K-State, and a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and loyal friend, passed away on December 2, 2024, at the age of 92.
The daughter of Susie and Ed Frommer, Bonnie was born on December 24th, 1931, in Valley Falls KS. She graduated from Topeka High School in 1949 and attended Kansas State University where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority. At Kansas State she met her husband Ernie, and they were wed on Oct. 24th, 1951. They were married for 72 years.
Bonnie was a multi-winning beauty pageant queen, an incredible seamstress, cook, baker, and the glue of the Barrett family. Her passions included reading thrillers or mystery novels, a game of Rummikub with her sister, and attending and hosting functions with their many friends. She was the epitome of regalness, hospitality, and kindness. Some of her life’s greatest joys were following Ernie’s career in KSU athletics, travelling the world, and raising two sons and a grandson. But beyond those roles, she was a beacon of strength, wisdom, and grace, leaving a lasting legacy.
She was the steadfast partner to Ernie, supporting him with unwavering love and encouragement throughout his career. Her quiet strength was the foundation upon which his success was built, and her belief in his dreams fueled his achievements. Together, they were a testament to the power of partnership, a union built on respect, laughter, and deep, abiding love.
Bonnie also shone brilliantly in her own right. She had a way of making everyone she encountered feel valued and seen, a rare gift that brought light to so many lives. Whether she was nurturing her family, pursuing her passions, or engaging with her community, she approached every endeavor with grace and determination.
Bonnie is preceded in death by her parents, her sister Peggy, her husband, and her son Duane. She is survived by son Brad of Manhattan, grandson Ryan (Lauren) of Valley Center, great-granddaughter Sophia, and four nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life Service with a reception following will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday December 10, 2024 a the K-State Alumni Center, 1720 Anderson Avenue in Manhattan. The service will be open to the public. A private interment will be held at Sunrise Cemetery. Honoring her request, cremation has taken place.
The family would like to thank the caring staff at Meadowlark Hills and Interim HealthCare and Hospice. Funeral home arrangements by Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to a memorial for the Barrett family that has been established at the Kansas State University Foundation with donations benefiting the Ernie and Bonnie Barrett Family Men’s Basketball Scholarship. Contributions may be sent to: KSU Foundation, 1800 Kimball Ave., Ste 200, Manhattan, KS 66502, please indicate fund M47447. To make a gift online, go to http://ksufoundation.org/give/
