Bonnie Zirkel

Bonnie Sue Zirkel passed away on November 20, 2017.

On a car trip to visit her grandparents in Arizona, Bonnie and her father stopped in Taos, New Mexico, some 55 years ago, and Bonnie declared that one day she would live there, and so she did, for well over 40 years. Her love of art and animals influenced many of her friends and family. At one time, kind-hearted Bonnie cared for 21 dogs!

Bonnie earned a masters degree in art from the University of California, San Diego, where she was honored with a retrospective showing of 22 of her copper plate etchings. Bonnie’s love was block printing and working with a press, and she also loved creating with watercolors, especially bright sunflowers and beautiful lilies. She was an art teacher in Anchorage, Alaska during the great earthquake, and also taught in Bermuda, and in her original hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Bonnie loved Taos with her whole heart, and when she became ill, her family tried to convince her to return to Milwaukee for medical care, but she could never leave her beloved Taos. She is survived by an older sister, Barbara Tuszynski, and a niece, Mary Lee Ratzel and her husband Jim, of Milwaukee, and a nephew, Thomas Tuszynski of Moses Lake, Washington.

The family wants to thank all of Bonnie’s wonderful friends, who surrounded her with love and support. She was truly blessed.

A benefit/ recognition luncheon was held in Bonnie’s honor on Friday, December 15th from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Mabel Dodge Luhan House with the proceeds to go to the Stray Hearts Animal Shelter. The family will also have a memorial service for her in the Spring, with a further announcement as to the date and time.