Ruth Anne Bonnau's Obituary
RUTH ANNE (SNYDER, GARY) BONNAU
July 18, 1940- June 10, 2025
Ruth Anne’s father once told her that she was born with roller skates on. She was definitely “on the move” most of her life.
She was the first born and matriarch of her siblings Doug Snyder, Robert “Bob” Snyder (who has passed) Mary Lou Newman, Gary Snyder and Angela Snyder. All of them have many stories of shenanigans she was involved in and some of which she swore she had no part in.
As a teenager looking ahead to her future, she wanted to be a missionary and teach English to young children in Africa. That didn’t come to fruition, but she did get her teaching certificate and once her 2 daughters, Mona and April were young girls, she went back to college part time and received her Masters Degree in elementary education.
Teaching was her greatest passion. She taught Sunday School, a night class in Niles, MI and taught elementary classes ranging from 2nd grade to 5th grade for 35 years, all at Camden Frontier school. Many of her students still remember her and share how she impacted their lives.
Doll clothes sewing was her second passion and that turned into a retirement “gig” for her. She would attend craft shows to sell her art of sewing as far north as Drummond Island MI and as far southwest as Mission TX.
Mission TX was where she and her husband of 37 years, Steve Bonnau would travel for many years to escape the cold and grey days of Michigan. There in TX, she and Steve would add to their ever-growing list of birds that they were on the lookout for. She took up teaching a genealogy class at the local clubhouse. She had a very loyal following from one year to the next. She loved the water exercises in the pool and was very disappointed when the weather was too cold for a class.
Her love of learning led her to receiving a genealogy certification from BCG (Board for Certification of Genealogists) in Salt Lake City. She helped not only her immediate family, but others find lost or forgotten people.
Ruth left behind a slew of friends and family members, too numerous to mention, that will remember her for a very long time. Let it be said Ruth Anne lived “A Life Well Lived”.
Memorials to any of the following organizations would be greatly appreciated. Camden Public Library and/or Camden Missionary Church in Camden MI or Harbor Hospice in Grand Haven MI. (Or any hospice care facility)
“A Life Well Lived” celebration will take place from 12 noon - 2 pm Saturday, July 19, 2025, at Camden Missionary Church Outreach Center, 611 W. Camden Road, Camden, MI 49232.
Arrangements entrusted to The VanZantwick Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 620 Washington Ave., Grand Haven, MI 49417. Share memories with the family at their online guest book at https://www.sytsemafh.com
What’s your fondest memory of Ruth?
What’s a lesson you learned from Ruth?
Share a story where Ruth's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Ruth you’ll never forget.
How did Ruth make you smile?