Bonnie Campbell

Born in 1942 in Topeka, Kansas, Bonnie was the daughter of Theodore William and Bertha Louise (Cummins) Drescher. She graduated from Topeka High School in 1960 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from Washburn University in 1969. Her passion for books and education led her to pursue a Master of Library Science from Emporia State University, which she completed in 1979.

Bonnie first worked at the Topeka Public Library as a professional librarian. There, she played a key role in launching the Topeka Mobile Library, bringing books and resources to children in the community. She later moved to Denver, CO, where she served as head of the library extension department for Emporia State University.

In 1996, Bonnie relocated to Lake Havasu City, Arizona, which became her beloved home for nearly three decades. She served as Library Director for the Mohave County Library System until her retirement in 2006.

Bonnie also shared her love of language arts and storytelling as an adjunct professor of English and creative writing at Mohave County Community College’s Lake Havasu City campus.

She was engaged in many social and philanthropic activities. As a Hospice of Havasu volunteer, she served on the Advisory Board for Women with Willpower, and was a member of Havasis. She also performed in several musical productions at GraceArts LIVE.

Bonnie’s love for books was not just a profession—it was a way of life. Her nightstand was never without a stack of novels or a manuscript in progress. She also had a deep passion for cooking and amassed an impressive collection of recipe books. Her meals were often elaborate labors of love—worth every minute of preparation.

Bonnie built strong friendships throughout her years in Lake Havasu City. She spent many hours visiting with friends laughing, dancing, singing, and sharing stories.

She is lovingly remembered by her brother Donald “Don” Drescher and his wife Eleanor “Ellie”; her nephew Theodore William “Tad” Drescher II and his girlfriend Kelly Van Steenhuyse; her niece Amanda Rexwinkle and husband Joe; great-nephews Theodore William “Will” Drescher III and Jacob Rexwinkle; great-niece Eleanor “Nora” Rexwinkle; and many cousins and their families.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Larry, her uncle Clarence Ray Cummins; and her aunts Jennie (Cummins) McDonald, Helen (Cummins) Walstrom, and Marian (Drescher) Myers. Bonnie was affectionately known as “little sis” to her brother Don—a nickname from him that reflected not age but height.

Bonnie’s laugh—distinctive and full of joy—was matched only by her energy and warm heart. A social butterfly in every sense, she embraced butterflies as her personal emblem.

Bonnie’s will be interred next to her late husband at a private ceremony to be held in California.