Bonita "Bonnie" Rae Brengle Vigoren was born April 8, 1932, to Myron and Edna (Cornell) Brengle in Buffalo, SD. She was one of 9 children growing up on a ranch near Buffalo. She attended grades 1-8 in a one room school house. She went to Buffalo High School, graduating in 1950 as Valedictorian. She completed business school in Rapid City and then transferred to a Bismarck Junior College where she graduated after two years. She used her skill and knowledge working for the county attorney and then worked at First State Bank until 1954.

Bonnie met and married her high school sweet heart, Vern Vigoren in 1954. She edited his term papers until he got his degree in petroleum engineering in 1957. They moved 23 times from South Texas to Alaska because of Vern's petroleum engineering profession during his 35 year career and their 58 years of marriage.

Bonnie always dreamed about living on a place in the country that had a live stream. They found their dream home when they purchased a homestead along Elk Creek in 1971. She worked as an administrative assistant for almost two years to help pay for it. The ranch had a forest permit to raise 31 pair, which involved activities that she loved in her early years. She loved working with the cattle, tending her garden, and identifying the various species of birds and critters. The proximity to Deadwood afforded her the opportunity to feast on Alaskan King crab at the casinos.

Bonnie, 80, Deadwood, died Friday, November 30, 2012, at Rapid City Regional Hospital.

Bonnie is survived by her husband, Vern Vigoren, her four children, 10 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, and her 3 brothers, Rick Brengle, Steve Brengle and Den Brengle. Her eldest child, Judy Vigoren Bean married William Bean and had three children and one grandchild: Erin Nicole Bean Kingry (married to Sean Kingry and their daughter, Katrina Lei), Heather Corynn, and Christopher Bean. Next, their first son, Michael Vigoren has 3 children and one grandchild: Tressa Faye Vigoren with son, Jace Kincaid, Kaycee Lynn & Zane Kincaid. Kathy Vigoren Durch married to the late Rick Durch has two children, Amanda "Mandi" Mae and Hayden George. The youngest son, Robert Allen Vigoren is married to Mary Vigoren and has two children: Daniel Lucas and stepdaughter, Katie Forstner.

She loved having her grandchildren around her. They helped her pick berries and tend her vegetable garden. She enjoyed cheering on her grandchildren as they competed in basketball, track, football, baseball, volleyball, and gymnastics.

Memorials will be preferred and distributed in Bonnie's honor by the family.

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