Bonnie Jean (Champion) Kukkonen

HANCOCK, Mich. - Bonnie Jean (Champion) Kukkonen of Hancock went home to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Jan. 15, 2019. She died unexpectedly in Bali, Indonesia, of a massive heart attack.

She was born in Ironwood, a daughter of the late Bill and Jean Champion, and graduated from Luther L Wright High School in 1964. She went on to graduate from Northern Michigan University in 1968 and became a teacher in Harper Woods and an employment counselor in Highland Park.

Bonnie later served as a counselor at the Good Will Farm, Western Upper Peninsula Health Department and Catholic Social Services. She was an excellent counselor and touched many lives.

Bonnie will be remembered as a kind and considerate person always having an open ear for others' problems. She was a continuous supporter of the less fortunate, and her happiest moments were when she or her family members were performing acts of benevolence for others. The only friends she didn't have were the people she hadn't met yet.

Bonnie and her husband, Phil, loved to travel. They spent the last 10 years exploring the world. While a little reluctant at times at some of Phil's escapades, she always went along because she was afraid she would miss something. She was always excited about a new adventure with Phil.

Bonnie was a loving and supportive wife, soul mate, mother and grandmother. She adored all of her grandchildren who were the loves of her life.

Bonnie had church families in Houghton and Jacobsville, Mich., Montgomery, Ala., and Bali.

She is survived by her loving husband of 49 years, Phillip; three children, Kristi Kukkonen Kajander (John) of Ann Arbor; Erik Kukkonen (Karen) of Maple Grove, Minn., and Camille Moberg (Matthew) of Montgomery, Ala .; 13 beloved grandchildren, Kristi's: Kanon, Kajsa, Kailina, Kallum, Kaine and Kaius; Erik's: Trevor, Kyle and David; and Camille's: Coral, Blaise, Judson and Selah.

She is also survived by her siblings: Kathy Steiger (Pat) of Bessemer, Janis Steffan (Ron) of Neenah, Wis., and Bob Champion of Green Bay, Wis .; an aunt, Elvie Strand of Ironwood; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A traditional Balinese Christian celebration of life service will be held in Bali on Tuesday, Jan. 22.

Service time and location in America are undetermined at this time.