PFLUG, Lula Yvonne (Bonnie)

Vistoso Funeral Home, Oro Valley, Arizona L. Yvonne ‘Bonnie’ Pflug came to the end of her earthly life recently at Northwest Hospital, Tucson, Arizona. She is survived by her husband of 39 years, E. Leffen Pflug, her daughter Susan Walker (Charles Walker) and son, Arthur Babb (Elise Mitchell Babb), step daughters Regine Pflug Anderson, Gale Pflug Swearingen (Craig Swearingen), and Martha Pflug Ernest, 8 beloved grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren in whom she took great delight. Lula Yvonne was born on May 12, 1927 in Treece, Kansas. Bonnie was a name of endearment, given to her by her father early in her life. She loved this nickname and lived into all that the name implies. She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Okle Barnard Geisler, her brother, Phil Geisler, and, her sister, Juanita Darnell. Her surviving siblings are Ginger Wade of Joplin and Betty JoAnn Stuckey Fogelman of Kemp, Texas. Additionally, Bonnie had a host of nieces and nephews in whom she took great interest and pride. Hakan Orkut, a retired businessman of Istanbul, Turkey, is an American Field Service student who lived in the Pflug’s home in 1975. She maintained a continuing connection with Hakan, the international ‘son,’ and his family. Bonnie’s faith was at the center of her life. A life-long Episcopalian, she was a member of St. Philips Episcopal in Joplin, MO and since the early 1970s a founding member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church, of Grove, OK. She was a minister to those in need be they stranger or friend. Her most enduring ministries are: Prayers & Squares, a quilting ministry for those who are ill and Knit Wits, a cap & gloves ministry for those in need. She was a natural teacher and many people owe their capabilities to her careful guidance as an instructor. She aptly earned the additional nickname ‘Coach’ for the life skills she taught from mending garments to mending hearts. Her vocation as executive secretary at Empire District Electric Company, leader of the United Way of Joplin, and fundraiser for Freeman Hospital put her people skills to their best use. Bonnie’s family was her source of joy and comfort. While most of her siblings remained in the greater Joplin area throughout her life, her children, and extended family live around the United States from Florida to Washington State. She also loved nature. Her many years as a resident around Grand Lake of the Cherokees in Oklahoma bear witness to that fact. She was quick to give testimony about her wonder at God’s creation. Her earthly remains will be interred in the columbarium in Saint Andrews, Grove, the church she and Leffen so adored. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you make a donation to St. Andrews Episcopal Church building fund.