Mary LaVonne "Bonnie" Rask

Mary LaVonne "Bonnie" Rask
December 25, 1936-May 11, 2020
Bonnie Rask, a treasured wife, cherished mom, mother-in-law and grandma, beloved aunt, sister, cousin, and friend, passed away, Monday morning, May 11, 2020, at her home, with her husband, Raymond, by her side, after a 15-year struggle with Mantle Cell Lymphoma. All who had the pleasure of knowing her were blessed by her kind, compassionate, courageous, and loving presence.
Bonnie was born on December 25, 1936, in Orenco, Oregon to Lee and Grace Lindsay, the youngest of five children. She graduated from Beaverton High School. After two years of college, she met her husband, Raymond Rask, and they were married, December 21, 1960. Their 59 years together brought many special memories, especially involving family travels to their two favorite places: Manzanita, Oregon and Rancho Mirage, California.
Bonnie was devoted to her family and friends who gave her so much joy. But, she, also, had an intense commitment to those in our community who are suffering. She never passed up the opportunity to volunteer for various organizations serving vulnerable individuals and families in our neighborhoods such as the Oregon Food Bank, the St. Francis Dining Hall, SnowCap Community Charities, and the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation's Northwest Chapter.
Flowers, music, and an innate talent for interior decorating were passions for Bonnie. She loved working in her flower garden and preparing beautiful arrangements for her home and the homes of her family and friends. She enjoyed interior décor and was constantly changing the "look" of a room and assisting her children and grandchildren with these exceptional artistic abilities. She was an excellent cook, especially when preparing many of the authentic Lebanese dishes. Our large family Christmas Eve celebrations will always be remembered because of her incredible efforts and her graciousness, sense of fun, and generosity in welcoming family and friends to their Portland home.
Bonnie delighted in music, whether it be attending a live musical theatre production, listening to her favorite songs, singing and dancing with her children and grandchildren, playing the piano, or watching a classic movie musical on television or at the cinema. Musicals featuring Gene Kelly were some of her favorites, and we know she is now dancing in heaven with one of her favorite movie stars! She instilled this love of music in her family. There are songs that will remain forever in our hearts and souls as they poignantly bring back precious moments with this amazing, beautiful woman.
She will be terribly missed by her husband of 59 years, Raymond Rask, their children Rachelle Rask Gonzales (Rick), Andy Rask (Tina), Sharrie Rask, their adored grandchildren and great grandson, Chelsea Nofield, Natalie Rask, and Karom Burphy. She is, also, survived by her sisters, Margie Lindsay and Dorothy Cornils and her brother, Dale Lindsay. Her sister, Zola Gredvig, predeceased her in 2019. She will be extremely missed by her many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, donations made be made in her memory to The Rask Family Memorial Fund (http://www.raskmemorial.org/donatenow/).
To keep others safe, there will be a private family funeral mass to honor her. A Celebration of Bonnie's life will be scheduled at a later date, once the COVID-19 limitation on public gatherings is lifted.