Bonnie Mae Hitchcock
(nee Runge) Resident of Milwaukee, formerly of Shorewood, born April 19, 1939, passed away at the age of 83 on May 23, 2022. Bonnie is now reunited with her high school sweetheart and love of her life, the late Russell Hitchcock.
Bonnie was the mother to Jeff (wife Brenda Hitchcock), Larry, Peggy (partner Mike Jones), and Patty. She was the grandmother of Marissa, Kathryn, Madison, Max, Tim, Rusty, Katie, and Grace, and the great grandmother of Connor and Everly. Bonnie was the daughter of the late Edward Runge and the late Esther Masek, sister of Christopher Runge (partner Sharon Gunderman), and sister-in-law of the late John Hitchcock, Robert Hitchcock, and Nancy Hitchcock. Bonnie is further survived by her beloved dog Sandy, and relatives and good friends throughout the world.
Bonnie grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was a small business owner, and eventually raised her own family here. Bonnie and Russ met when they were 16 years old, Russ a student at Marquette University High School and Bonnie a student at Holy Angels High School. They were married for over 60 years. Bonnie was the founding owner of The Village Quilters, located in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. She took great pride in running her own business where she led workshops on basic quilting skills, and she shared the art and appreciation of quilting with each person who walked through the door. Bonnie continued her love of the art throughout her life, gifting friends and families with unique quilts and building friendships through local quilt and knitting groups in Milwaukee. Many of her quilts were prize winners at the Wisconsin State Fair. Bonnie was also a long-time volunteer at the Holiday Folk Fair, where she assisted with registration, fair logistics, and led school groups on educational tours. For over 25 years, Bonnie shared her love of learning about the world with each visitor, school group, and family she greeted.
Bonnie and Russ were avid travelers, appreciating the sights and wonders the world offered them. They traveled domestically and internationally together as a couple, and with friends and family. They always made sure to share their experiences passing down their love of exploration. Above all, their favorite moments were filled with love and laughter at their lake cottage in Wisconsin, where many family memories were made over the summers of the past two decades.
Bonnie’s greatest achievement was being a mother and grandmother, she always placed her family first with love and dedication. Although Bonnie is no longer sewing quilts, new generations of her family and friends will still experience Bonnie’s skillful craft as she knitted baby hats in preparation of cold Wisconsin winters to keep her loved ones warm. A private service to honor Bonnie will be held at a later time. In lieu of gifts, the family asks for donations to the Wisconsin Humane Society (www.wihumane.org/donate) in memory of Bonnie.