Bonnie M. Kent

Bonnie Mae Kent, born Bonnie Mae Bell, passed away on March 8, 2026. She was born on June 12, 1933, in Garnett, Kansas, to Floyd and Thelma (Stanley) Bell. She grew up alongside her brother Stanley and sister Velma, graduated from Garnett schools in 1951, and married George T. Kent on June 20 of that same year. Together they raised three children, Cheri Lynn, Roger Martin, and Ruby Renee, and shared 45 years of marriage until George’s death in 1997.

Beyond her devoted work as a homemaker, Bonnie was employed as a secretary and bookkeeper for Deep Rock Appliance on the Garnett Square and later at Beckman Motors until her retirement. A lifelong member of the United Presbyterian Church in Garnett, she remained active there until the church closed. She found great joy in gardening, sewing, quilting, dancing with George, playing Pitch, and gathering with friends for coffee each afternoon at four o’clock. Above all, she cherished her family.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, George; her brother, Stanley Bell; her sister, Velma Drybread; her daughter-in-law, Joleata Kent; and her infant grandson, Kent Christopher Peine.

She is survived by her children, Cheri and Ray Peine of Garnett, Roger Kent of Garnett, and Ruby and Kirk Gulick of Iola, Kansas; seven grandchildren, Rose Peine, Jason Kent and Christina Trujillo, Johnna (Kent) and Bruce Brumley, Clinton and Hollie Gulick, Darci (Gulick) and Brett Lisher, Karly (Gulick) and Derrik McCall, and Kelcy (Gulick) and Brad Schnaufer; twenty great-grandchildren with a twenty-first expected soon; one cousin, Jim Bell of Royal Palm Beach, Florida; and several nieces and nephews.