Bonnie Katherine Granius

A sparkling light that burned brightly – Bonnie Katherine Granius had been a central figure in her immediate and extended family, the schools and organizations in which she worked, and her neighborhood and large community of friends.
Bonnie, age 78, passed away peacefully at St. Vincent Hospital on March 16, 2022 from lung complications. Bonnie was born to Charles and Helena (Dennisen) Katers in Green Bay Wisconsin on October 24, 1943. She graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy High School in 1960 and from St. Norbert College with a BA in Education (Spanish and History) in 1965. She married her soulmate Carlton (Cal) Granius on a sweltering day in June 1966 at St. Bernard Catholic Church. In 2016, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary surrounded by family and friends.

Bonnie and Cal spent the first two years of their married life near Washington, DC where Cal proudly served in the U.S. Army and Bonnie worked as a teacher and librarian in Alexandria, Virginia. After returning to Green Bay, Bonnie began what became both her vocation and her passion – teaching Spanish. Señora Granius taught at Premontre, Abbot Pennings, East, West, and Preble High Schools as well as Franklin and Washington Middle Schools. After retiring from Green Bay Public Schools in 2002, she spent another 15 years teaching university Spanish at St. Norbert and UWGB, Spanish to adult employees of area businesses, and English as a Second Language (ESL) for the Literacy Council of Brown County. Bonnie was a lifelong learner and lifelong instructor who loved hearing from former students and was immensely proud of their accomplishments.
Bonnie’s passion for education may have only been surpassed by her love of volunteering and charitable giving. She was an active volunteer and held numerous leadership positions in the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO) Sisterhood, Brown County Community Women’s Club, Service League, Boys Club Auxiliary, Resurrection Parish, and the League of Women Voters. She could always be counted on to cook a kettle of her famous booyah for charity auctions. She also contributed to causes further away from home; one of her final acts of charity was to donate a closet full of clothes and jackets to refugees fleeing violence in Ukraine.

With an innate curiosity about the world, Bonnie’s adventures took her to Eastern and Western Europe, Latin America, and throughout the United States. She instinctively connected with people everywhere she went. Bonnie was also an infamous card shark who played competitive and recreational bridge and never turned down a game of Go Fish or Old Maid with her grandkids. Bonnie loved to ski with family and friends, golf with work and PEO friends, and play tennis at Western Racquet and Four Seasons Tennis Clubs where she was a member for 45 years. Bonnie also loved to dance with Cal and socialize at Le Bay and Neighborly Dance Clubs.

Bonnie took immense pride in being a mother to her own three boys and three grandchildren. In a recent letter she wrote: “Our goal was to teach you to value family, nature and its beauty, and instill a spirit of curiosity, adventure, appreciation, and empathy for others.” She was loved dearly by her children and grandchildren.

Bonnie is survived by her loving husband Cal; her children Mark (Laurie Travis) in Fairfax VA, Todd in Laguna Niguel CA, and Jesse (Julie) in Denver CO; grandchildren Mira, Aden, and Lena; siblings Jean Vanden Branden, James Katers, and twin brother Bill Katers (Patricia); and sister in-law Loretta Granius.

She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings Audrey Katers and Clifford Katers (Bernice); brother-in-law Myron (Mike) Granius; sister in-law Donna Katers, brother in-law Don Vanden Branden; and parents in-law John and Anna Granius.

Family and friends may visit at Resurrection Catholic Church, 333 Hilltop Dr., Allouez, on Saturday May 14 from 9:30am until 10:45am. A Mass of Resurrection will be held at 11:00am with Rev. Tom Reynebeau officiating.
At the family’s request, please wear masks and adhere to social distancing while at church.


Memorials in memory of Bonnie may be made to:

Literacy Green Bay - https://www.literacygreenbay.org/

Green Bay Botanical Garden Children’s’ Garden Expansion Project - https://gbbg.org/childrens-garden-expansion-project/

Heritage Hill State Park - https://heritagehillgb.org/support-donate/donate/

Freedom House Ministries - https://greatnonprofits.org/org/freedom-house-ministries-inc-2