Bonnie Lee Blanco

Bonnie Lee Blanco, 84, of Beloit, WI, passed away on Sunday, January 25, 2026 at Lake Forest Senior Living.

She was born on April 14, 1941 and lived a full life, beginning on a small farm in North Freedom, Wisconsin. Bonnie loved Jesus from a very early age and continued to serve Him her entire life. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in education. Bonnie resided in Beloit, Wisconsin where she taught at the elementary level. Most of her career was served at McGlennegan Elementary School. Throughout her forty-nine years of teaching, she received numerous awards for her dedication and service including the Crystal Apple award and the Herb Kohl award. She retired from teaching at the age of 70 although she continued tutoring children, to whom she referred to as her “cherubs”.

In 1971 her heart drew her to adopt a child from Vietnam. At the time, it was against the law for a single woman to adopt. “Challenge accepted”. She pursued endlessly through congressmen and senators for 3 years until she successfully changed the laws. The dedication and persistence came to fruition when she received her daughter in 1974.

She was a lifelong member of People’s Church serving on countless committees and positions. She had a special place in her heart for missions and the missionary families. She was a driving force for the Samaritans Purse Operation Christmas Child for over thirty years.

During her retirement years, she spent time with family in Arkansas and Arizona. She traveled domestically and internationally with family and friends to forty-nine states, Switzerland, France, Vietnam and many more. She also served on multiple mission trips including Estonia and Lithuania. Bonnie spent her final year living in Arkansas with her daughter and son-in-law making cards and watching Hallmark movies. As her favorite hymn, “I’ll Fly Away” was playing in the background, Bonnie was called into glory.

Survivors include her daughter, Nikola (Jeff) Schlote of Mountain Home, AR; grandchildren, Savanna (Joshua) Richards and Marcella (Thomas) Maser; two great grandsons Thaddeus and Caspian Richards; siblings, Dennis (Kathie) Faivre and Arvin Faivre; sister-in-law, Louise Faivre; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Bonnie was predeceased by her parents, Robert and Rita (Gaetske) Faivre; husband, Louis Blanco; brother, Carl Faivre; and sister-in-law, Linda Faivre.

A Memorial Service for Bonnie will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026 in People’s Church, 340 W. Grand Ave., Beloit, WI. Visitation of Remembrance will be held from 11:00 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. Saturday in the church.

In lieu of flowers, there will be a place for donations to Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child at the service. The family encourages guests to bring a small item of choice to add to a shoebox in memory of Bonnie.