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Bonnie Sue Sorrill Tenhouse, age 82, a well known Liberty area native, died at Sunset Home on Friday May 19, 2006.She was born August 26, 1923 in Quincy to Frank and Helen Skirvin Sorrill. On October 21, 1944 she married Robert Arthur Tenhouse in Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, rural Liberty. He preceded her in death on August 29, 2002.She was involved in farming with her husband and was a partner in Four- Ten Farms with her son and daughter in law.Her family was her passion. She was equally proud of her daughter, Marcia, who was diagnosed as developmentally disabled since birth, as she was of her son, Art, the State Representative. The Bowling Belles, Marcia's Special Olympics Team, was of particular pride to Bonnie.She loved spending time with her grandchildren. They were her own special projects. From Katie, Andy, and Adam's birth, she orchestrated plays, science projects, wrote stories, read books, and stretched their view of the world.Bonnie was a graduate of Quincy Senior High School and received her teaching certificate from Western Illinois University. She taught in one room school houses until her marriage. She taught Marcia at home by tutoring herself at Central Institute for the Deaf in Saint Louis, MO.She loved public speaking and traveling as the State Vice-President of the Homemakers Extension. Her duties included service on the boards of the Sunset Home, the Family Service Agency, and the Adams County Mental Health Board (Transitions). She told of her part in designing the Sunset Home logo.She directed the children's choir, taught Sunday School, served as church historian, and led the MYF for years at Pleasant Grove and remained active in the church until her health failed.Survivors include a son, Rep. Art Tenhouse and his wife Sharon, Liberty; a daughter, Marcia Tenhouse, Quincy; three grandchildren, Katie (Tenhouse) Richard and her husband Doug, Seattle WA; Andrew and Adam Tenhouse, Liberty; a brother, Robert Sorrill and his wife ElDred, Glen Ellyn, IL; a sister, Betty Wilson, Quincy; a brother-in-law, Harold Tenhouse and his wife Betty, Quincy; a sister-in-law, Mildred Leslie, Fowler; and nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers-in-law, William Leslie, and Autre (Woody) Wilson.Funeral services will be held held Tuesday at 10 am in the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home, Pastor Scott Swigart officiating. Visitation will be Monday evening from 4-7 pm at the funeral home. Burial will be in Quincy Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church or the Liberty Education Foundation. |
