Born in the city of Lewisville, Nebraska, and the third child of four born to her parents, Bonnie Hutchison was encouraged and given the tools and resources to teach herself how to play the piano (and eventually the organ as well). Her mother bought her first piano for $25 which didn’t include the piano bench. So, a second trip to the seller resulted in her mother returning with a bench. (To this day, Bonnie wonders if her mother had to pay extra for it!)
As a young musician Bonnie began accompanying for church gatherings at the Free Methodist Church her family attended. It was also a faith community that Francis “Frank” Taylor attended and that is how they met and were nurtured in their faith as well as enjoying social events with other young adults (especially hayrack rides!).
After graduating from high school in 1952, Bonnie and Frank were married in September of 1953 and in time their first child, Douglas “Doug” was born.
In 1956 Frank accepted a job offer in construction and HVAC work in McPherson, Kansas. Their second child, Karen, was born and Bonnie had the opportunity to take instruction from a music teacher at Central Christian College where she also worked as an executive secretary to the college president for twenty-four years.
In 1993 Frank retired from his job and in 2016 they began the long process of downsizing in order to move to the campus of Kansas Christian Home. They became members at Golden Plains Free Methodist Church in rural Newton where Bonnie has been the musician, playing the organ and piano. Bonnie and family have become familiar with, and regular supporters to KCH’s professional caregivers; oftentimes attending Sunday worships.
In May 2023 Frank passed to Life in the Spirit peacefully with family present and was honored as one of our beloved residents in a Celebration of Life Service.
Along with Bonnie and Doug and Karen, we remember Frank as the one-year anniversary of his death draws near and, we are so grateful that Bonnie is continuing to participate in campus activities and is establishing friendships with other residents with whom she has weekday lunches in Tilsley Village.
It goes without saying, those of us who have experienced the grace of Bonnie’s musicianship when she has accompanied for our worships are blessed beyond measure.