OBITUARIES
Raul Agundez Jr.
54, Calexico
John Garcia
72, Brawley
Susan Manger
72, El Centro
Bonnie Gaede
80, El Centro
BONNIE GAEDE Mar. 13, 1938 - Feb. 12, 2019
Bonnie (Helen) Gaede, 80, of El Centro passed away on Tuesday, February 12, 2019.
She was born March 13,1938 in Reedley, California, the third of seven children, five girls and two boys, to John and Nina Thiessen. During World War II the family lived in Sacramento, California, moving back to the Reedley area until 1949 when her father accepted employment with Lockheed Corporation. The family then moved to the Los Angeles area.
Bonnie graduated from Canoga Park High School. She was employed by Pacific Telephone Company until her marriage to Bob Gaede from Reedley when he came into her life again in 1957 while visiting his sister in the Los Angeles area. Robert looked up the Thiessen family since he and Bonnie’s brother Jon were best friends. Bonnie and Bob were married December 30, 1960, in Van Nuys, California.
After their marriage they lived in Cimarron, Kansas, where her husband was a school teacher and coach. In 1964 he accepted a teaching and coaching position in the El Centro area.
Bonnie, a stay at home mother at the time, began caring for other children in her home and teaching them about Jesus and His love for them. With so many requests for child care, her baby sitting grew to become a Christian Day Care Center where she worked with children teaching them the Word of God.
After earning her AA, she was certified in Early Childhood Education. She became the owner and director of Gaede’s Day Care Centers in El Centro, caring for children ages 0 to 12 years for 40 plus years. She believed early education is of priceless value. Working parents needed the security and confidence that their children were receiving adequate care to help them develop spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. She felt the children needed to have a Christian atmosphere with lots of love.
Bonnie never really retired though she no longer operated the day care. A few children would still come to her home after school, she helped them with their homework assignments and she taught them about Jesus, Sunday School songs and Bible verses.
Whether you were a child being dropped off or a parent dropping off or picking up their child, a cashier, a bagger at the grocery store, a fellow friend or a stranger, if you crossed paths with Bonnie Gaede, you heard the Gospel and were offered a place to stay if you ever needed one. On February 12, this outstanding woman was taken to be with her Lord and Savior. An outspoken, kind and generous woman she was. Bonnie lived a full life and offered help to anyone who needed it. Her mission was to shine a light for this dark world leading others to find hope in Jesus Christ. Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven.” Let us not mourn in sorrow, but rather find joy in the hope that she is in the presence of the Lord.
Bonnie is survived by her husband, Robert; their five children and their families: Neina and Michael Davis, their three children: Megan and Antal Vegh, Caitlin and Keenan Scott and Joey, Virginia; Roberta and Kevin Bird, their four children: Ashley, Brett, Kristina and Hannah, El Centro; Marilyn and Brian Wiens, their two children: Annaliese and Benjamyn Wieler, and David, Half Moon Bay; John and Shelli Gaede, their six children: Caleb, Joshua, Michaela, Micah, Josiah and Camiah, Oregon; Robert “Matt” and Mandy Gaede, their four children: Tory, Malachi, Asher and Eilly, Imperial; her sisters and brothers, Kathy Hunt of Oregon, Jon and Glenna Thiessen of Colorado, Neina Thiessen and Norzetta Thiessen of El Centro, and Don and Jane Thiessen of BC, Canada; many nieces and nephews;
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Nina Thiessen; sister, Charlotte Thiessen; brother-in-law, Donald Hunt and nephew, William Hunt.
A Celebration of her life will be held at Christ Community Church in El Centro on February 24th from 4 to 6 p.m. Reception will follow at 1st Baptist Church gym.
SUSAN ELIZABETH MANGER Jan. 17, 1947 - Jan. 26, 2019
Susan Elizabeth Manger went home to Our Lord on January 26, 2019. She was born January 17, 1947 to Francis and Dorothy Dorer in Philadelphia, PA.
She graduated from James Madison High School in Vienna, VA. Then attended Virginia Tech. In Blacksburg, VA and Western New Mexico University in Silver City, NM. Susan married Charles Manger on July 22, 1967 in Arlington, VA and then resided in San Diego, CA eventually moving to Imperial Valley in 1977. There she worked as a postal clerk, library clerk, secretary and payroll clerk. Eventually taking a job as assistant director of the Brawly Library where she excelled in her live long love of books and literacy.
Susan was always involved in civic affairs and served 16 years on the Imperial County Planning Commission and 21 years on the Imperial County Board of Education.
She is survived by her husband Charles; her son Charles III, and 4 grandchildren.
Memorial Service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, El Centro on February 23, 2019 at 10 a.m.
RAUL “BOOMER” AGUNDEZ JR. Jan. 4, 1965 - Feb. 8, 2019
Raul Agundez Jr., 54, of Calexico passed away on Friday, February 8, 2019 from a motorcycle accident in Chula Vista, CA.
He was born on January 4, 1965 in Calexico. Raul was well known and loved by many people. Always spreading his positive energy through his beautiful smile and great sense of humor. Whenever he was around there was sure to be laughter and smiles. He prided himself in being the best father and grandfather. Raul loved long rides on his motorcycle, and enjoyed listening to music. He was an exceptional Registered Nurse at Pioneers Memorial Hospital for many years. He spread his love for football through being a Defense Coach for Calexico High School, Vincent Memorial High School and William Moreno Jr. High School. He was a United States Army Veteran. One of his last and biggest accomplishments was becoming a Drug and Alcohol Counselor through Palomar College. He made many people proud and will be greatly missed.
He was preceded in death by his father, Raul S. Agundez.
Raul is survived by his son, Raul Agundez III; daughters, Vivian Agundez and Vanessa Saenz; grandchildren, Nevaeh, Brian, Devin, Alissa, Aaliyah, Angel Jr. and Alexandra; mother, Elsa Agundez; sisters, Edith Martel and Elsa Ancheta.
Visitation and Rosary will be held on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at 6 p.m. at Hems Brothers Mortuary Calexico. Mass will be held on Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at 9 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Calexico. Burial will follow at Mt. View Cemetary in Calexico.
The family suggests Raiders attire or all black to the services. Celebration of Life will immediatly following burial at Womans Improvement Club 320 Heber Ave, Calexico, CA 92231.
JOHN KRAFT GARCIA Sept. 2, 1946 - Jan. 31, 2019
John Kraft Garcia, 72, of San Diego, CA. passed away on Thursday, January 31, 2019
He was born on September 2, 1946 in Brawley, CA.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Juan V. Garcia and Socorro Kraft Garcia and brother, Raul Garcia.
John was survived by his children, Alkila, Barbara Connie, Juanita, Roxanne, Sol, Rudy, Gabriella, Erica, Jimmy, Myrianne and Johnny Jr. Garcia’s of San Diego, CA; grandchildren and great- grandchildren; siblings, Armando Garcia of Norwalk, CA, George Garcia of Norwalk, CA and David Garcia of Norwalk, CA., Carlos Gasca of Oxnard, CA., Bobby Gasca of Brawley, CA., Yolanda Ferrel of San Jacinto, CA., Sylvia Garcia of San Jacinto, CA., Carmen Tolintino of Las Vegas, NV., Ermelinda Peraza Westmorland, CA., Irma Lee of Yuma, AZ., Frances Chavarria of BellFlower, CA., Patricia Escalera of Brawley, CA., Lupe Salazar of Brawley, CA., Monica Casas of Brawley, CA. and Nellie Gasca of Lompoc, CA.
Visitation will be held on Friday, February 22, 2019 from 8 to 10 a.m. at Frye Chapel and Mortuary in Brawley, CA. with Service being held at 10 a.m. Burial will immediately follow at Riverview Cemetery in Brawley, CA.