Remembering Bonnie Hart Warnecke

On March 4, 2025, Bonnie Hart Warnecke passed away peacefully at her home overlooking the Skagit Valley at the age of 88. Bonnie Mae Hart was born on March 31, 1936 in Tacoma, Washington to Albert Stewart Hart and Myrtle Sigvarda Hale. She lived a long full life, with a green thumb, quick mind, a love for baking pies, tending her roses, spending time with her grandchildren, and laughing with her 20 Norwegian cousins. She was devoted to her family and friends, with a special bond with her belated sister Janet Dahl. 

In 1940, her family moved to Orcas Island, where she had fond memories growing up where Albert was the Moran State Park Superintendent. In 1946, the family moved to Mount Vernon, where her father joined his sister, Sara Stewart, managing the operations at Tulip Bulb & Grange. Bonnie graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1954 and started working as a Dental Assistant. In 1956, she married John Gaches Gardner. Together, they had two children, James and Susan. 

With her father Bert, John and Bonnie transformed the family farm West Shore Acres into a thriving Daffodil Farm, eventually opening up the first public Daffodil and Tulip Display Garden in Skagit Valley. Her love and knowledge of daffodils shined through her life.  

In 1983, she married Robert Warnecke, thriving as a wife of the Conway School Superintendent and living on Lake McMurray. Together they enjoyed skiing, golfing, and fishing at Lake McMurry, enjoying the time spent with their nine grandchildren. Throughout her life, Bonnie remained active in many service groups: the fraternal Order of Eastern Star, Skagit Symphony board, Patricia Hulbert Children’s Guild, and Skagit County Republican Women’s Club.

Bonnie is survived by her daughter Susie (Tim) Deyo, grandchildren Chad (Amber) and Jay (Liz), and the sunshine of her life great-grandchildren Lincoln & Katherine. Her stepson Greg (Patti) Warnecke, their children Ashley Essig, Derreck (Sammi), Michael, and Haley, great-grandchildren Liberty, Everly, Jasper, Ely, Harper, and Amelia. Step-grandchildren Bill, Jenny, and Megan Doyle, great-grandchildren Jolene, Jaden, and Jaxon. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, sister, son James, husband Robert Warnecke, and stepdaughter Holly (Rob) Doyle.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the charity of your choice. 

Her celebration of life was held on Tuesday, March 11 at noon at the Vinery at Christianson’s Nursery, 15806 Best Road, Mount Vernon, WA.