Bonnie Rae Whicker Manis, age 87, passed away on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 in Gilbert, Arizona joining the love of her life, Walter Charles Manis. Bonnie was born on November 25, 1930, in Beaver, Utah, the oldest of four children born to Paul and Frieda Steele Whicker. She started her life in Beaver, then moved to Salt Lake City, and later to Delta and Hinckley.
When Bonnie was a young girl her family moved to Delta and lived in the hotel her grandparents owned on Main Street during the depression years. In the early 40's, they moved to Hinckley, Utah where she grew up on “the farm". She attended Hinckley High School, where she participated as a cheerleader. She made many lifelong friends there. When she met Walter Manis, it was love at first sight (it was her first day of the fifth grade). They were married on March 12, 1949 in Hinckley. The marriage was later solemnized in the Manti LDS Temple. They were married for 69 wonderful years and raised seven children and one foster son, Gene Nez.
They made their home in Hinckley. She loved the town of Hinckley and the residents there. She loved the LDS church and had a strong testimony. She gladly served in many positions in the church, including primary president, young women's president and relief society president.
She loved camping with friends and family, being on the west desert and her family. She had a great love for dancing and took lessons in Salt Lake City before the final move to Hinckley. She enjoyed watching Lawrence Welk, and "old" movies with her grandchildren. She was also the instigator of many family water fights, both indoors and out.
She raised 6 boys and 1 girl and was an active participant in their lives and enjoyed attending all sporting events her children and grandchildren participated in. After her children were raised she worked at IPSC where she made many more friends.
Bonnie was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Manis, on February 12, 2018; parents: Paul and Frieda Steele Whicker; infant brother: Phil; son-in-law: Vaughn Price; daughter-in-law: Sarah Manis; granddaughter: Kashara Manis. Bonnie is survived by children: Hollie Price, Mesa, AZ; Pat (Linda) Manis, Hinckley; Phill Manis, Ely, NV; Paul (Ila) Manis, Leeds; Kerry (Bonnie) Manis, Lehi; Robert (Cori), Hinckley; Sean (Sheri) Manis, Salt Lake City; Gene Nez, St. Johns, AZ; 29 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren; sister: Barbara (Bevan) Thompson, Cedar City; brother: Jim Whicker, Madras, Oregon.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 28, 11:00 am, at the Hinckley LDS Ward chapel, 188 North Main St, Hinckley. Viewings will be held at the Hinckley LDS Church on Friday, 6:00-8:00 pm; and Saturday, 9:30-10:40 am, prior to the service. Burial will be at the Hinckley Cemetery.