Bonnie (Gamble) Smesrud

Bonnie Carol (Gamble) Smesrud

Bonnie passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 22, 2021. She was born to Hubert and Irene Gamble on Oct. 15, 1951, at Sacred Heart Hospital.

Bonnie attended Arlington Elementary, Shaw Junior High School and John Rodgers High School. She participated in Girls League, Drama and was a member of the Girls Gold Team. Bonnie was very proud to wear the Purple and Gold and be called a “Pirate.”

Bonnie attended Eastern Washington State College (EWU) and was a “Savage.” She graduated in three years and started her teaching career in the fall of 1974. Bonnie taught at Bemis Elementary School for 35 years, educating thousands of students in the grades of first through third. Teaching the “R’s.” Bonnie, along with other teachers, also educated several principals on how to deal with life and North Spokane students.

Bonnie’s favorite two activities were spending time with family and friends. She really enjoyed cooking for her stepdaughter, Shelley, and son-in-law Rob Goldstein, grandchildren Hayden, Bailey, Wyatt, Emma and Aaron. Bonnie maintained close relationships with friends Tom Vandergag (60 years), Dave and Carol Brusick (60 years), Janine Skidmore (45 years), Sandy and Dave Solverson (45 years), Dan and Stephanie Bean (45 years) and Jack and Francis Lucas (30 years).

Bonnie's second-favorite activity was the lake resort at Spirit Lake. Bonnie made friends at the lake in Spirit Lake, Rathdrum and Athol. A few of those dear friends are Lee Stanton, Dennis and Barbara Little, Adam and Stephanie Godwin, the Bixby family and many others. Bonnie raised three generations of Lake people and made them stronger and better citizens.

Bonnie is survived by brother Thomas Gamble, Significant other Cliff Harris and is preceded in death by her mother and father, Irene and Hubert Gamble. Bonnie will be missed by many; she made a mark on everyone she met, especially cousins Mike and Marian Gamble and Jan, Larry, Ron and Jamie Skogstad.

Funeral services will be at 12:30 p.m. Saturday Oct. 2, 2021, at Fairmount Memorial Park 5200 W. Wellesley Ave. Spokane, WA 99205 with a celebration of life to follow.