Rachel Jeanne Bonzo, 16, of S. 20th Ave. East, died unexpectedly Thursday, Feb. 26, 2004, in St. Mary's Medical Center. She was born on December 2, 1987 in Alma, Michigan.
Rachel had lived in Duluth since age two. She attended Congdon Park Elementary School, Ordean Middle School and was a sophomore at East High School, where she played cello in the orchestra. She was a member of First Lutheran Church, and its Sunday School team and Youth Group. Rachel loved reading, animals, music and sports.
... Rachel's family loved her very much and will miss her deeply.
Visitation: 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. service Monday in First Lutheran Church, 1100 East Superior St., Rev. Daniel Bergeland officiating. If so desired, memorials may be directed to East High School Orchestra or First Lutheran Church Youth Group. Messages of condolence may be left online at Legacy.com.
Published in the Duluth News Tribune on 2/28/2004.
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Boney's Tribute
A soul roams across continuous night and sees darkness tugging on misted light.
The spirit seeks the ideal site and the perfect recipe mixed just right.
The infinite journey not wanting to end, gravity lures the daring in,
The adventure needs purpose much more than time; picks lifes motion over solar wind.
A host is sought to spark the flame for existence to begin,
Young love oblivious to the risk, fools too hoping they can win.
Vast odds defy possibility of life, a chance at life is worth the risk,
A new body takes its place on Earth, and a new name is added to the list.
One life is born to share with many, hope blossoms out from there,
Ignoring doubt and cold uncertainties of a world not playing fair.
Body and soul now merge together as one, faithful hearts refuse to see,
That nothing really belongs to us, the body is loaned to the soul for a fee.
Cheating fate we deny we know the end, that all life will end the same,
Victory comes to only those who dont regret they played the game.
Light provokes the spirit to embrace each day, warmth stirs the spirit to laugh and play.
Distracted, the spirit persists to choose, the grandest game which we all shall lose.
We finally give back to the Earth everything that we ask or borrow,
Left behind are those to wonder why our tears must come with sorrow.
Break free to soar beyond whats known and leave Earths rocky surface,
The spirit departs with memories in hand for its presumptuous purpose.
The soul has its new identity, now its time to stop the game,
Returned to its original path, the soul is rich with the spirits claim.
Well meet again and share our wealth in heaven beyond this place,
And live again among the loved on the other side of space.
Lord hold the gate until Im in, Im not finished playing yet,
Boney left some things I wish to return, I promise I wont forget.
-- No one will ever take your place, you were my first child. Everything that I have today, everything I am is possible because you were born. You shaped my life, and I love you forever.
Dad
Ed Bonzo (Gushikawa, Okinawa, Japan)
