Bonnie Grassie

Bonnie Baker Grassie

December 25, 1931 - November 3, 2025

Bonnie Baker Grassie, 93, of Dexter, New Mexico, passed away peacefully at her home on November 3, 2025. She was born on December 25, 1931, in Culver City, California, to Willeta Wheeler Baker and Harold Andrew Baker.

Bonnie learned to be independent and resilient early in life. She spent her early childhood in Stillwater, Oklahoma, where she lived with a mother and daughter who had both been widowed until she was eight years old. In 1938, her mother married Wyatt R. Stanley and the family settled in Amarillo, Texas. After World War II, Wyatt and Willeta moved to the Stanley farm in Dexter, leaving Bonnie in Amarillo to finish her school year. When Bonnie arrived in Dexter, she quickly found that the small town offered great friendships and fun. She began dating her high school sweetheart, Jim Grassie. They were married in the First Presbyterian Church of Dexter on February 3, 1950 and loved and cared for each other for the rest of their lives. Bonnie and Jim had three daughters: Pat, Dianne, and Connie. They lived the wonderful life of a farm family. Bonnie kept everything running smoothly and took excellent care of her family.

Bonnie worked off and on for Mehlhop & Son Wholesale Alfalfa Dealers and Insurance Agency for 29 years and took summer courses at Texas Woman's University to become a certified instructor in First Aid, Swimming, Diving, and Life Saving. She was the only certified Water Safety Instructor in the Valley for many years. Her students looked forward to her lifesaving classes, and countless children and adults learned to swim with Bonnie's help. She taught through the American Red Cross for nearly 25 years and served on the Board of Directors for Zia Girl Scout Council while leading troops to help girls develop skills and find adventure. She was always active in any school activities that involved her daughters.

Bonnie served as a member and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Dexter, where she taught Sunday School, filled in as musician, served as treasurer for 24 years, and was a member of the Ollie McNeil Circle.

Bonnie broadened her horizons by traveling with family to Mexico, Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, and Switzerland. Her dream was that each of her daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren would live a full, happy, healthy, safe, and productive life.

Bonnie's home and table were always open. She cooked big Sunday dinners where the table was perfectly set with extra room for friends. Many young people found a home with Bonnie and Jim, including Dawn Crozier, Yvette Durand, Ralph Shamas, and exchange students Eriko and Dipali. She enjoyed all people and loved to find a connection with everyone she met.

Bonnie is preceded in death by her beloved husband, James I. Grassie; her mother, Willeta Stanley; her daughter, Willeta Dianne Grassie Tessier; her grandson, Michael Bradford Harrell, and her son-in-law D. Barry Stone.

She is survived by her daughters Patricia Grassie Parsons (Bob), Connie Grassie Harrell Stone, and Yvette Durand Crile (Paul); her grandchildren Clay Cohorn (Chelsea), Patrick Cohorn (Brittney), Bonnie Parsons Gipson (Sean), and Alexandre Harrell (Ben); and her great-grandchildren Whitney Harrell (Michael), Halle Cohorn, Graham Cohorn, Annie Cohorn, Talon Cohorn, Sean Gipson II, Amelia Gipson, Charlee Gipson, and Etta Gipson. Bonnie is also survived by her sisters Evelyn McMaster, Ellen Sheppard (Craig), Jean Rising, and Cheryl Stanley.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of her dear friends at the Hagerman Joy Center and her special friend Dilly Brady.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 22, at the First Presbyterian Church in Dexter.

Pallbearers will include Clay Cohorn, Patrick Cohorn, Sean Gipson, Michael Bradford Harrell, Michael Ingraham, Bob Parsons, Wesley Pilley, and Don Carter.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Dexter Presbyterian Church.