Bonnie Lou Palenske

Bonnie Lou Palenske, 83, of Wamego, Kansas, passed away on Sunday (June 21, 2026) in her home.

Born January 17, 1943 in Wamego, Kansas, Bonnie was the daughter of Chester and Bernadine (Niedfeldt) Songs. She married James L. “Jim” Palenske on November 4, 1961 in Manhattan, Kansas. He preceded her in death on July 31, 2023.

Bonnie was a 1961 graduate of Wamego High School, was a member of Extension Homemakers Unit (EHU) of Wabaunsee, and is a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Alma. She enjoyed gardening, canning, crocheting, cross stitch, solving word search puzzles, and playing Pitch. She loved going fishing with Jim, especially on Tuttle Lake. She was known for her cooking, and she had been a Wabaunsee 4-H Cooking Leader for several years.

One of her first jobs as a teenager was cleaning house for Grace and Robert Haynes. During High School, Bonnie worked at Cordts Diner known as the Swirly Top and then at Wamego Drug for 11 years. She was instrumental in establishing the Wabaunsee Rural Water District and worked in the office for several years. She retired after 11 years with USD 320 where she was a cook in the Middle School.

Survivors include two daughters, Brenda Ridder (Chris) of Alma and Julie McIntyre (Jerry) of Wamego; eight grandchildren, Ethan Walsh, Tristan Walsh (Mariah), Clara Duryea (Gavin), Hunter Ridder, Harley Ridder, Chelsey VanPelt (Corey), Jessica McIntyre (Evan) and Shaylea McIntyre (Tony); seven great grandchildren, Hallie Walsh, Kamryn Walsh, Braylynn Walsh, Blayze Walsh, Malia Walsh, Zayden McIntyre and Grayson Kolterman; a sister, Carol Hansing of Ridgecrest, CA; a brother, Tim Songs (Julie) of Alma, KS; and many nieces, nephews, brother and sister in laws and cousins.

Mrs. Palenske was preceded in death by her parents; a son in infancy, Michael Lee Palenske; two sisters, Ella Hesse (John) and Jacqueline Wohler (Virgil); and three brothers, Dennis Songs, David Songs and Ray Songs (Nancy), a brother in law Richard Hansing.

Cremation arrangements are in the care of Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego.

Graveside inurnment will be Saturday morning (August 22, 2026) at 10:00 at Wabaunsee Cemetery with Reverend Robert Grimm officiating.

The family will host a Celebration of Bonnie’s life on Saturday (August 22, 2026) from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Alma Community Center, 1050 Ohio Street, Alma, Kansas.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Wabaunsee Fire District 8, Elara Hospice or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Please make checks payable to the organization of your choice and those may be left with Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home, P. O. Box 48, Wamego, KS 66547.