Bonnie Marie Davidson

It is with heavy hearts and great sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Bonnie Marie Davidson, on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, at CHI Health St. Francis in Grand Island.

Liturgy of the Word and Celebration of Life Services will be held Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at St. Josaphat’s Catholic Church in Loup City. Rev. Richard Piontkowski will officiate. The family will greet friends one hour before the service at the church.

Bonnie chose cremation, and her ashes will be buried at the foot of her husband Ed’s grave in the Kearney City Cemetery in Kearney.

Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is assisting the family.

Bonnie was born on April 10, 1939, at Anselmo, NE, on a farm south of town in Ortello Valley, the daughter of Edward and Pauline (Esch) McDermott. She lived in this area most of her childhood and graduated from Anselmo High School in 1957. She then attended Kearney State College and taught in rural schools near Anselmo and Broken Bow for several years.

She was united in marriage to Edwin A. Davidson on June 25, 1960. The couple lived in Broken Bow for a few years before moving to Kearney, where Ed was employed by the Kearney Police Department and Bonnie worked for several years as a paraprofessional at Central Elementary School. To this union, three children were born: Diane Kay Davidson Rouzee, Kent Eugene Davidson, and Denise Marie Davidson Leksell. Diane is married to Dave Rouzee and they live in Grand Island. Kent is married to Nancy Davidson and they live in Chicago, IL. Denise is married to Lee Leksell and they live in Tucson, AZ.

Bonnie later moved to Grand Island, where she became a caregiver for many people. She retired in 2015 and moved to Loup City, where she shared her life with a special friend and companion, Al Ziola, for many years.

Bonnie loved her family and adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Diane’s family includes Lyndi and Brandon Rohr of Kearney, Jenna and Mitch Jones of Lincoln, and Zachary Rouzee of Lincoln. Kent’s family includes Audrey Davidson of New York, NY, Nathan Davidson of Rockford, IL, and Miles Davidson of Wilmette, IL. Denise’s family includes Christie and Matt Schechter of Boca Raton, FL, and Wesley and Kaylee Leksell of Duluth, MN. Her great-grandchildren are Hailyn and Jace Rohr, Remi and Charli Jones, and Noa, Mia, and Ava Schechter. Each was very special to her.

She is also survived by two brothers, Jim and Maxine McDermott of Colorado Springs, CO, and Larry and Carmel McDermott of Greeley, CO, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

During her life, Bonnie was active in many church activities, including singing in the choir, teaching Bible study, serving as a Stephen Minister for many years, and ministering to the elderly to make their lives easier. She was a member of LESA for many years with the police wives. While in Loup City, she was active in church singing, the Red Cross, yoga, funeral dinners, and Bible study.

One of her happiest recent moments was attending the McDermott Family Reunion in Colorado Springs, CO.

Our mom will be forever in our hearts. She was full of life and love throughout her many years, and memories of her already bring smiles to our faces. We are comforted knowing her spirit is in Heaven, reunited with her husband. May her memory live on in our hearts and actions.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Edwin Davidson; her parents, Ed and Pauline McDermott; and her sister, Lois Weidner. Her family is buried in the Kearney City Cemetery and in Omaha.

Bonnie’s time in Loup City was especially meaningful to her, as she formed many treasured friendships. She lived a blessed life, and countless people were touched by her generosity and caring.