Bonnie Olcott

Olcott, Bonnie 6/1/1926 - 9/10/2022 Allegan Bonnie June (Allgeo) Olcott, 96, passed away surrounded by her husband and children on Sept. 10, 2022. She was born June 1, 1926, in Grand Rapids, Mich., to the late William and Nell Allgeo. On June 26, 1948, Bonnie married Vern Olcott, who survives. Together, they lived a life full of family, faith, service, and love. An educator through and through, Bonnie worked as a school teacher well into her 80s. After graduating from Albion College in 1948, Bonnie taught fourth grade in Chicago. In 1950, the couple moved back to Vern's hometown of Allegan so he could operate his family's business, Red's Motor Parts. Bonnie then began working for Allegan Public Schools in various long-term substitute roles and permanent classroom assignments. In her 5 decades of education, she taught everything from elementary to adult education and Lifelong Learners, touching countless lives in the process. The Olcott family split their time between Allegan and the Allgeo family gathering place on Barlow Lake in Middleville, Mich. Bonnie had great faith in God and physically split her devotion as well; being a long-time member of Allegan United Methodist Church and a frequent worshipper at Middleville United Methodist Church. When not spending family time at Barlow Lake, Bonnie stayed active. Her many activities and memberships included the Cheery Cherry Ladies, the Allegan UMC Mary Martha Circle, the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel, and extensive volunteering at Ascension Borgess Allegan Hospital alongside Vern up until the pandemic. Her interests included traveling, Detroit Tigers baseball, music, reading, and entertaining especially her famous Halloween parties on Thomas Street! In addition to her husband of 74 years, Vern Olcott, Bonnie is survived by her children Judy (Bob) Woods, Sue Chappell, Beth (Monte) Stanloski, and Mark (June) Olcott; grandchildren Sara (Jason) Ramaker, Lisa (James) Moore, Matthew (Camille) Woods, Kieran Marshall, Lauren and Katharine Olcott, and Molly Stanloski; great-grandchildren Patrick Ramaker and Milo and Ruby Moore; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother William "Jack" Allgeo, sister-in-law Barbara Allgeo, and many beloved friends. Visitation will be Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022 from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM at Allegan United Methodist Church, 409 Trowbridge Street, Allegan. A celebration of life will follow immediately at the same location. Donations in Bonnie's memory made be made to Allegan United Methodist Church, Middleville United Methodist Church, or the Allegan Public Schools Foundation.