It will be a Blue Christmas indeed for the family and friends of Bonnie Jane Corrick, Little Suamico, who passed away peacefully at a local hospital with her daughter by her side on Saturday, December 12, 2020. Bonnie was fiercely independent and passionately protective of her family—and her feline friends. She remained resilient when she was diagnosed with diabetes midlife and never let it slow her down. Dealing with diabetes became increasingly difficult during the last few years but through determination and the help of her family she was managing it fairly well. Unfortunately, she received an unexpected diagnosis of lung cancer three days before that disease stole her last breath at age 76.

Bonnie, who had a flair for fashion (she famously made three wardrobe changes at each of her two sons' weddings and pulled it off fabulously) summed up her fight with the unrelenting disease for family members who had gathered to be with her at her bedside this way: "I was always glitter and gold, but I don't feel like glitter and gold anymore." Bonnie, you will always be glitter and gold to those who were fortunate to know you.

But there was also substance to go with that style. She ended up raising three kids as a single mom, was a social worker in Brown County, and, this is pretty cool, was a member and instructor at the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in Madeira Beach, Florida.

Bonnie was born in Milwaukee on June 14, 1944, to the late Theodore and Lillian (Knickelbine) Brown. She grew up in Milwaukee where her cousins were her best friends and where she met and married her first husband, James Klemencic. In 1975, she moved to Green Bay with her three children. There she met another lover of boats, beaches, water, and warm weather, her second husband, Dick Corrick. Dick worked in the scouting department for the Green Bay Packers for 18 years, which led to Bonnie's fervent following of the Green and Gold. Bonnie and Dick traveled the country and abroad. Hawaii became their favorite destination. They had a boat docked in Sturgeon Bay and built a lovely log home in the country (Little Suamico) in 1990, the site of many family gatherings. The house remained her happy place, her favorite space, her memories base until her passing. When Dick retired from the National Football League, Bonnie and Dick spent the cold weather months in Madeira Beach until his death.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Tom (Nancy) Brown and Jerry Brown, and husbands James and Dick. Survivors include her children, Dan (Kristi) Klemencic, Jim (Michelle) Klemencic, Bonnie Holzberger; grandchildren, Kaitlin (Patrick) Klemencic, Craig Klemencic, Nathaniel (Lindsay) Holzberger, Riley (Samantha) Klemencic, Rutger Klemencic, Autumn Klemencic; great grandchildren Avery Holzberger, Colt Holzberger; sister Kristine (Jerry) Foley; sister-in-law Jackie Brown; numerous nieces and nephews; and her  faithful furry friend of 20 years, Jackson the super cat.

A memorial gathering will be held at the Pfotenhauer Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Howard-Suamico location, 1145 Cardinal Lane, on Saturday, December 19, 2020 from 1:30 until 3:00 p.m. Family Memorial Service to follow at 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Due to COVID-19, masks will be required, and social distancing will be practiced. Online condolences welcome at www.PfotenhauerFuneralHome.com.

Finally, Bonnie was fond of Elvis, so this time of year Elvis's Christmas album was her go-to. For those who cannot attend the memorial gathering and want to pay their respects in a different way, play Elvis's version of Blue Christmas, her favorite song on the album. And after you are filled with holiday spirit and memories of Bonnie, consider making a donation in her honor to Oconto Area Humane Society, 150 S. Katch, Oconto, WI 54153.