Bonnie Jean Selesky, age 89 of Lakeview, Michigan, passed peacefully into the arms of her lord on Thursday, June 11, 2026.  Bonnie was a lifelong resident of the Lakeview area.

She was born on November 18, 1936 to Orville and Rita (Kortes) Behrenwald.  She joined older brother Larry and later was joined by younger sister Kay.  Bonnie had a wonderful childhood growing up on the farm with her siblings.  She was a quiet child and developed a strong work ethic and a love of nature and animals that lasted throughout her lifetime.  She became known throughout the community as the person to take any orphaned animal to when they needed care.

In addition to the typical farm animals, she raised multiple deer, raccoons, squirrels, a mink and even a family of orphaned skunks (who grew up to think they were cats!)  Her love of cats earned her the nickname of “Cat Rancher” to those who knew and loved her.  She worked hard on the farm driving tractor, milking, planting, harvesting and bringing in the hay on those hot, sticky summer days.  

In school Bonnie was involved with the Future Homemakers of America, was a cheerleader for the Lakeview High School and worked after school as a secretary for lawyer Ruth Kelsey and as a clerk at the Michigan Pickle Company.  It was at school that she met the love of her life, Ronald Selesky.  She and Ron were married on April 14, 1957 and ten months later welcomed their first son, Mason Gene Selesky.  Two years later they welcomed their second son, Jordon Jay Selesky to the family.

Bonnie continued to work on the farm and raising her family until both boys were in school.  She entered the banking business and worked for the Bank of Lakeview and Firstbank (now known as Mercantile Bank) for many years until she retired.  She was a familiar face at the bank and was well known for her bright smile, kind nature and knowledge of the banking business.  Bonnie was always the professional businesswoman and is also remembered for those smart suits and stiletto pumps!

Bonnie loved to read and always joked about how she found the boys’ names in novels she read.  She loved to travel, having taken memorable trips to Alaska with her dad and sister, and out west to visit friends.  Later in retirement she and Ron loved to just get in the car and go and see where they ended up!   She continued helping on the farm, driving the big tractors and helping out wherever needed.  She was well known for her scalloped potatoes, goulash and custard pies, but probably best known (at least by her family) as being the absolute best grandma and great-grandma any child could ask for.  Her love for her children, their children and her great-grandchildren was immeasurable.

Bonnie’s last few years were spent at the Lakeview Terrace, under the loving care of the wonderful staff there.  The family would like to send a special thank-you to these amazing individuals.  You are blessed with a special gift you give to those under your care; please know how much your tender care and loving thoughts have been appreciated.

Bonnie is preceded in death by her husband Ron, parents Orville and Rita (Kortes) Behrenwald, parents-in-law Theron and Mabel (Hansen) Selesky, sister-in-law Kay (Kos) Behrenwald, brother-in-law Arvin Selesky, nephew Eric Rasmussen and niece Dana Selesky.

She is survived by her sons, Mason and Tamara (Stevenson) Selesky of Trufant, Jordon and Kim (Sias) Selesky of Barryton, grandchildren Chanele (Craig) Lueder of Lakeview, Heather (Scott) Mackie of Commerce Township, Tyler Selesky of Lakeview, Ashley (Kevin) Riley of Rockford, Alyssa (Tory) Niewiadomski of Sulphur Springs, Texas, Shana (Adam) Strantz of Big Rapids, great-grandchildren Macie and Raegan Lueder, Ian Mackie, Briella and Grayden Riley, Ava and Nolan Niewiadomski, Harper, Preston and Palmer Strantz, brother Larry Behrenwald of Clarksville, sister Kay (Bernard) Rasmussen of Stanton, sister-in-law Joan Selesky of Lakeviewand many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life for Bonnie will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2026 at McKenna’s Village Restaurant in Lakeview from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Friends and family may drop in anytime to visit with the family.  In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations in Bonnie’s memory be made to the Montcalm County Animal Shelter.