BONNIE STOUT OBITUARY

A human lifespan is too short to capture all the beauty of the world.

Being a true artist her mind was constantly creating.  It didn't matter the medium-oil, acrylic, pencil, ink, ceramic, fabric, paper, glass, gardening or cooking, she did it all.

Whatever she was doing, she strived to do it the best way possible.  She was not in it to make a lot of money.  Much to the angst of her late husband, Gaylord, who was trying to keep up with her supply needs.

She shared her art in the books she wrote or illustrated and with the students she had all over the world. She loved to travel and being in foreign countries, art transcends any language barrier.  She was usually hosted by a local family, and they could show her real local lives and experiences.  Which included a cow waking her up one morning as it pushed its head in the open window over her bed.  She learned different customs, like, in some countries a watermelon is considered a very nice wedding gift.  Her family loved hearing about her adventures when she got home.

Bonnie was invited to the White House with some of her artist friends to celebrate the Christmas ornaments they had created for the White House holiday trees.  She was invited three times, under both Republican and Democratic Presidents.

Some of her works now rest in the hands of the Smithsonian Institute, Collinsville Historical Museum and the Decorative Artists Museum.

She was an only child born in St. Louis, Missouri but spent most of her life in Collinsville, Illinois where she raised her 4 children; Llyle Morgan, Dana Johns (Frank), Kendall Stout (Mari Ikemeier Stout, dec) and Andrea Mercer, grandchildren; Jason Farnworth (Denise), Matthew Stout (Denise), Jessica Take (Randy), Denver Mercer (Brittany), Desiree Linnemann (Josh), Bethany Stout (Allen), great-grands; Sawyer, Sander, Lex, Logan, Noah, Kalene, Savannah, Carter, Caitlyn and great-great granddaughter; Kami.

Bonnie's lasting legacy will be her family, her art and the artworks of all her students who will continue her techniques into many generations ahead.

A hui hou (Until we meet again)

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Collinsville Historical Museum, 406 W. Main St., Collinsville, IL  62234 or WSIU PBS, 1100 Lincoln Dr., Carbondale, IL.  62901 SIU mail code 6602.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 3:30pm at Herr Funeral Home where family will receive friends from 1:00 pm until 3:30 pm.

The family is being served by HERR Funeral Home, 501 W. Main St., Collinsville, IL., 62234.