Bonnie Luhman

Bonnie Mae (Soutter) Luhman passed away peacefully September 14, 2021, in her Lakewood home, from complications of chronic kidney disease. She was 87.

Bonnie was born in 1934 in Des Moines, Iowa, to John and Nettie Soutter. Her elder sister was Norietta, and younger brother John Jr. Bonnie was an energetic soul who graduated from East High School (Des Moines), and Drake University with a BS in Education. She paid for college by working part time and summers for the Des Moines Chamber of Commerce.

While in college, Bonnie was a Drake homecoming queen attendant, a Miss Drake finalist, and a Miss Des Moines contestant. She also served as an Easter drama cast member, a reader in the Christmas nativity pageant, and she was active in the Delta Zeta sorority.

After graduating from Drake University in 1956, Bonnie served as a flight attendant for Trans World Airlines. After flying with TWA for six months, Bonnie looked for employment as a teacher in Oregon and California, but accepted a job with the Denver public schools. Her first position was at Sabin elementary school.

She met her future husband, Frederick Luhman, in Denver in 1956. They were married in Des Moines in 1958. While living in Littleton, Colorado, their daughter, Christine, was born in 1961. In 1963 the family moved to a mountain home in Indian Hills, Colorado where the family brought their son, David, home in 1963.

Bonnie became a full-time homemaker in 1961 to meet the demands of her family. However, she wanted to continue her career, and she became a substitute teacher for the Denver and Jefferson county public schools in 1973 after the family moved to Lakewood, Colorado. She continued teaching until her retirement in 1978.

Throughout her life, but especially in retirement, Bonnie was an avid traveler. She and her husband visited most of the US, and over 70 countries. She visited six continents, traveling by train, ship, and aircraft including the Concorde. She enjoyed classical music, and her hobbies included knitting, painting, gardening, and arts & crafts.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years Fred Luhman, her daughter Christine, her son David, and her grandchildren Eric and Troy.

Private memorial services were performed, and cremated remains were interred at Olinger's Mt. Lindo cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the charity of your choice in memory of Bonnie.