JoAnna Bonds

JoAnna Bonds, 81, died Wednesday, July 16, in Durango, Colorado. A small family memorial service will be held.
Mrs. Bonds was born April 27, 1933, in Bayfield, Colorado, the daughter of Howard and Anna Gibbs (Foster). She grew up in Bayfield, Durango, Yellow Jacket. Pagosa and the Lightner Creek Area and graduated from Durango High School in 1951. JoAnna married Russell J. “Junior” Bonds on July 3, 1952 in Aztec, N.M., while Junior was on leave from the U.S Army. They had begun their courtship years prior, and, after the wedding, JoAnna followed him to Alaska, where he was deployed. Upon Junior’s discharge from the Army, the couple returned home to Bondad, Colo., and began working the land at the family ranch. Four children blessed the couple.
JoAnna was an active member of the La Plata County Cowbelles, helped with La Plata County 4-H, was a member of the Durango Presbyterian Church and the Florida Presbyterian Church. She excelled at the skills needed to run her home and a family ranch, including gardening, canning, sewing, and was known to feed a meal to any guest that stopped by the ranch (sometimes multitudes).
She is survived by her husband, Junior Bonds of Bondad, 4 children: Jean Lesky (Clint Davis) of Healy, Kan., Martha Zellitti (Barry) of Durango, Vernon G. Bonds (Cathy) of Aztec, N.M., and Tom Bonds (Lorene) of Bondad, 2 sisters: Martha McCoy and Mary Benton, both of Durango, a brother: Donald Gibbs of Pueblo, Colo., 10 grandchildren: Joaquin Lesky, Josh Lesky, Misty Smith, Lindsey Mills, Travis Zellitti, Megan Stephenson, Mike Bonds, Trent Bonds, Marie Bonds and Troy Bonds, 9 great-granchildren: Bristol, Braylin, Declan, Shea, Paislee, Jace, Maddie, Selene, and Emma.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the La Plata County Cowbelles Scholarship fund, 396 Pine Springs Drive, Bayfield, CO 81122, or the Alzheimer’s Association, 701 Camino del Rio, #321, Durango, CO 81301.