Bonnie Nourse

Bonnie Nourse 75, passed away peacefully at her home on August 7, 2024 in Wasilla, Alaska, in the presence of her beloved family. Bonnie was born in Akeley, Pennsylvania on August 16, 1948. She graduated from Cassadaga High School in 1967, and married her husband of 55 years, Gary W. Nourse. The two had their first of three daughters, Christine, in April of 1971 in upstate New York. Gary signed up for a second turn of military service in the United States Army during the Vietnam war. Now expecting their second child, the new family moved to Bangkok, Thailand in 1972 where their second daughter, Sumalee was born in October. Bonnie kept busy in Thailand, joining a softball league, reciting nursery rhymes to the Thai Army to help them learn English, and caring for their two children. When the family left Thailand in 1974, they were re-stationed in Alaska. Here, they lived in Anchorage, then moved to Wasilla, and eventually had their youngest daughter, Melissa in August of 1980. Gary and Bonnie built their forever home in Wasilla from the trees on their land that was once off the beaten path. While building, they lived without running water, or electricity for a few years, raising their family, working full time, and making friends all over the community. The family moved around a bit over the years. They lived in upstate New York to help Gary’s parents during sickness in 1986-1987. They lived in Soldotna, Alaska from 1994-1998 for a management position Gary held on the Kenai Peninsula. Through it all, they always came back to the home they built on the hill. Bonnie worked several jobs including, but not limited to Brewsters, The Wine Seller, D&A Shop-Rite, Bank of Commerce, First Federal, and First National Bank (branches in Kenai, Anchorage and Wasilla), from which she retired after 25 years of service. Bonnie had a child-like way about her; a humble nature, never boastful, always accepting, easy to talk to, and sometimes trusting to a fault. She was self-sacrificing, patient and kind. She will be missed by all who knew her. More than who Bonnie was, where she lived, worked, who she birthed, or even what a wonderful wife she was; Bonnie was a believer in Christ. She expressed fervently in her final days her wish that her family and loved ones pursue Jesus Christ and respond to His call. Bonnie is survived by her husband Gary Nourse, her favorite child (dog) Gentry, her daughters; Christine (Matt) Provins, Sumalee Cupps, and Melissa (Kraig) Riese, her grandchildren; Kimberly Provins, Desirae Cupps, Kathleen Riese, and Guy Cupps, her sisters in Jamestown, New York; Judy Hettenbaugh, and Debbie Costlow, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews of whom she loved dearly. Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents Kenneth and Violet Marsh, and her brothers, Gary Fish, Kenneth Fish, and James Fish. A Celebration of Life will be held at the American Legion in Wasilla on May 3, 2025.