Bonnie Kay (Evans) Waikart, 87 of Ogden, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 3, 2026. Born on November 28, 1938, to Mildred and Thomas Evans, in Elko Nevada, Bonnie was blessed to have many roles as wife, mother, grand and great-grandmother, sister, friend, and queen diva of Hidden Valley Memory Care.

After graduating from Weber High School, she further honed her fashion skills by working at Wolfers Clothing Store, where we believe her entire paycheck went to buying fancy beautiful dresses. Had she not met her first husband, Dee (Mick) Draney and transitioned to wife and mother, she most definitely would have been a model. Her love of fashion took back seat as she became a mother to four equally beautiful and amazing kids, Keith Draney, Karen Draney-Erickson, Kim Draney-Danziger, and Lisa Draney-Schields.

Born to a body and mind that lacked an "off" mode, Bonnie was constantly busy. Somehow, she managed to run the household, cook, clean, tend to the kids, wash your glass of milk before you finished it, and create the most beautiful flower gardens in her yard that were the envy of the neighborhood.

She loved to read and paint and surrounded her house with her own artwork which was admired by all who saw it. The quote by Henry Ward Beecher, "Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures", is representative of her artwork, with many of her paintings depicting floral or nature scenes.

Bonnie is survived by her husband, Lou Waikart, her son Keith Draney, her daughters Karen Erickson, Kim Danziger, and Lisa (Eric) Schields, her twelve grandchildren: Chase Draney, Alisha and (Brent) Dreilings, KayDee Draney, Alec Erickson, Hannah Erickson, Elyssa Erickson, Sarah Danziger, Ethan Danziger, Michael Harrington, Dillon Aurich, Ian Schields, Allyson Schields, and three great-grandchildren Boston Nadeau, Sonny Dreilings and Sylvie Dreilings, and her sister Sandy (Terry) Robinson.

With a feisty spirit mixed with sheer determination and pure grit, Bonnie always achieved whatever she put her mind to. She loved music, and the song that most represents her spirit would be Frank Sinatra's, "My Way". She's passed on to a better place where her mind and body are whole, where she can read, paint, and dance. She will be missed and she was loved so very much. We know that while she was here on earth, she did it her way.

"And now, the end is near

And so I face the final curtain

My friend, I'll say it clear

I'll state my case, of which I'm certain

I've lived a life that's full

I traveled each and every highway

And more, much more than this

I did it my way."

The family would like to thank the staff at Hidden Valley Assisted Living and Memory Care for their love, care, and compassion shown to our mother for the last three years. With their consistent care and structure, our mother lived years beyond what we thought possible. We would especially like to thank the nursing aides Hadley and Ang, who formed a special "soul" bond with our mother. She truly loved these girls, which is proof that the heart still loves, even when the mind is gone. We would also like to thank Angelique and Marissa for bringing dignity to our mother and helping her do the things she couldn't do for herself, dressing her, painting her nails, and doing her hair and makeup. We are forever grateful to all staff who took care of her, too many to mention, but ALL appreciated! We are grateful for the hospice services provided by Symbii Home Health and her RN Jamie.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, January 8, 2025, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at Leavitt's Mortuary & Aultorest Memorial Park, 836 36th Street, Ogden. A graveside service will be held at Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd, Ogden, at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations on behalf of Bonnie Waikart to Alzheimer's Association.