Elena “Bonnie” Kunert of Warwick, New York, passed away peacefully on October 23, 2026, at St. Anthony Community Hospital. She was 89 years old.
Born in Goshen, New York, on December 26, 1936, Bonnie was the daughter of Frank and Elena (née Villamil) Ketterer.
Bonnie dedicated her life to her family, her students, and her community. She was a Girl Scout and Brownie troop leader for her daughters for many years. A devoted parishioner of St. Stephen Church, she served on the church building committee and was actively involved in parish life. Bonnie was also a longtime member of the Warwick Valley Country Club, where she enjoyed golfing and socializing with friends. She volunteered for Meals on Wheels and loved playing bridge.
As an educator, Bonnie made a lasting impact on countless students. She formed deep and meaningful connections with those she taught, many of whom went on to become teachers themselves. Her passion for education continued long after her retirement. She remained deeply involved in the Warwick community through volunteer work and shared her love of local history through the Warwick Historical Society's Traveling Trunks program, bringing history to life for students throughout the Warwick school district.
Bonnie will always be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Her kindness, generosity, dedication to education, and commitment to her community touched many lives and will leave a lasting legacy.
Bonnie is survived by her beloved husband, Bernard "Barney" Kunert, her devoted husband of 63 years; her daughters, Elizabeth "Betsy" Kunert of North Bend, Washington, Pamela Kunert, and Suzanne Kunert of Warwick, mother of her cherished grandchildren, Thomas and Cameron Knox; her brother, Jeff Ketterer and his wife, Patricia; her sister-in-law MaryAnn Ketterer (Paul) and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
She was predeceased by her brothers, Frank, Paul, and Roger Ketterer, and by her sister, Jane Bennett.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 27, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 17 Oakland Avenue, Warwick. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 28, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Stephen RC Church, 75 Sanfordville Road, Warwick, followed by interment at St. Stephen's Cemetery, located at the corner of Galloway Road and Forester Avenue, Warwick.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Warwick Historical Society. https://www.warwickhistory.org/make-a-donation