Bonita Bonnie Carlson-Diepholz

June 25, 1931 - December 29, 2017

Bonita (Bonnie) Carlson Diepholz, a long-time resident of Highland, CA, passed away on December 29, 2017, from a re-occurrence of breast cancer. Bonnie was born on June 25, 1931, in Wall Lake, IA, to Edward and Ella Albrecht. She was the youngest of seven children. Bonnie was raised in and around Wall Lake, attended Drake University for a time, and then received her teaching credential from the University of Iowa. After teaching for a short time in Iowa, she married her first husband, Eldon Carlson of Alta, IA. Three days after they were married, Bonnie and Eldon moved to San Bernardino, CA, where Bonnie resumed her career as a teacher. She left teaching for a number of years to raise her 4 sons, but she never lost her love for education. Once her sons were settled in school, she returned to college at the newly opened Cal State San Bernardino, and earned a bachelor's degree in 1974. At that point she resumed her teaching career, and taught various grades at West Randall Elementary School in Fontana, CA, until she retired. Her devotion to molding young minds made her a respected and admired educator. She was a life-long Lutheran who loved to sing, whether it be in the choir, or simply singing the birthday song to her family on their birthdays. Her family agrees that birthdays will never be the same without hearing her sing. Although she loved life in general, she was always happiest when surrounded by her family. This was particularly so during her favorite time of the year, the Holidays, which she always wished would last longer. She is preceded in death by her parents; her two brothers, Loren and Dale Albrecht; two sisters, Gloria Thompson and Norma Somers; her husband, Eldon Carlson; and a stepson, Daniel Diepholz. She is survived by her husband, Gene Diepholz; her four sons, Stuart (Martha), Mike (Adele), Brent (Patti), and Kurt (Melissa); her stepchildren Dexter (Cathy), David (Carla), Deborah (Pete) and Doug (Katie); two sisters, Mavis Suckow of Des Moines, IA, and Joyce Wilkin of Lake View, IA; and over 30 grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her love, compassion, generosity and enthusiasm towards life will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and all who knew her. Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 11, 2018 at the Lutheran Church of our Savior, San Bernardino, CA The family requests donations to the American Cancer Society, the Lutheran Church of our Savior, or a favorite charity, in lieu of flowers. To leave a condolence on Bonnie’s Memorial Page, please visit www.bobbittchapel.com.