Bonnie L (Kelley) Dardis was born on March 24, 1944 in Deadwood, SD to the late O.A. "Bud" and Margaret (Sunderland) Kelley. On Friday afternoon, October 14, 2011 she picked up her drumsticks along with her drum, held her head high, started playing the cadence and proudly marched up to heaven.

Bonnie graduated from Spearfish High School in 1962 and continued her education at Drake University for 2 years before finishing her degree at BHSU.

Bonnie married her soul mate Robert L Dardis on February 14, 1966 in Rapid City, SD, this union was also blessed with Bob's four children and later two others.
After being united in marriage the family moved to Deadwood where they owned and operated the Bodega Bar and Restaurant for several years.

In 1972 Bob and Bonnie moved to Spearfish where she taught Jr. High School band and choir. In 1977 she was an Owner/Broker for Realty World and later Tysdal Real Estate until 1981 when she opened the Spearfish McDonald's. In 1986 she opened the Sturgis McDonald's and continued to run both stores with her family until 2004 when she retired. During this time she was an active member of the Spearfish and Sturgis Chambers. She received the Ronald Award, the Business of the year award from BHSU and the South Dakota Family Business Award. She started the Festival of Trees as a fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House and later turned it over to the Spearfish Zonta Club. Over the years she served on several community boards and volunteered for many fund raising projects and was presented other numerous awards by McDonald's and the community.

Bonnie loved music and was an extraordinary drummer. She was excited to join the Deadwood City Band at the age of 13 and also played for several other bands throughout her life. She was proud to be a 3rd generation member of All Angels Episcopal Church, Zonta, P.E.O., a lifetime member of VFW Auxiliary, past board member for BHSU, as well as many other organizations.

Bonnie was extremely proud of her Irish heritage and in 1997 was fortunate to fulfill a lifetime dream by traveling to Ireland with Bob. Bonnie may have been small in stature, but she was big on the inside. It is not about how much time you spend on this earth… it is what you do with the time you have on this earth, she used up every bit of talent she had, and then God called her home. She was an incredible person; one who could conquer all obstacles and will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her 6 children; Charisse (David) Fandrich, Calvin Dardis, Lisa (Floyd) Canfield, Shawn Dardis, Heidi (Felipe) Sorzano and Kelley (Melissa) Dardis; her brother Mike (Kaye) Kelley, sisters Colleen (Ivan Karpisek) Kelley, Debra (Bill May) Kelley, 14 grandchildren; JoDee, Shon, Scott, Courtney, Ryan, Neil, Calvin, Thomas, Cody, Robert, Lauren, Bonnie Grace, Anna, and Camden; 10 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Bonnie was preceded in death by her husband Robert, parents Bud & Margaret, and grandson Benjamin.

Visitation will be held at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish on Monday, October 17, 2011 from 4:00-7:00pm.

The family invites Bonnie's friends to join them in a celebration of her life at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday October 18, 2011 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Spearfish with the Rev. Bunker Hill officiating. Immediately following the service, internment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Spearfish. Please join the family for a dessert and refreshments at the church following internment.
Those who desire may make Memorial Donations in memory of Bonnie to All Angels Episcopal Church in Spearfish.

Éirinn go Brách