March 1937 – September 13, 2026
Bonnie Jean Noble passed away on September 13, 2026 after a long courageous battle with lung cancer in the comfort of her Grand Junction home. Bonnie was born in March 1937, in Montrose, Colorado, to Howard and Edith Noble. She was the oldest of four children, Jimmy, Joan, and Roger. Being the oldest, mom’s responsibility in the early years was to help take care of her siblings, during different periods of ranching and running a family cafe in Ridgway. Her younger brothers were prone to things like fighting, and that could result in Bonnie doing her best to manage. Bonnie once lassoed a young misbehaving brother while she was on a horse and hauled him down the road to the family cafe to the parents for proper discipline. We are sure a few people in the town of Ridgway at the time were not surprised to see this sight.
Bonnie graduated from Ridgway High School in 1955 with a class size of 12. Bonnie was a Ouray County Rodeo Queen during her teenage years. She loved to spend time with her father driving the San Juan mountains, feeding the livestock and enjoying the beauty of nature. She would often say, “you can’t improve upon nature”. As a young girl, Bonnie enjoyed riding horses with her lifelong friend Kay Ary after her after school chores were completed. She fondly recalled living in a tent during the summer and taking care of her siblings while her dad tended to the sheep.
Shortly after high school, Bonnie was married in Ridgway. From that marriage she had two sons, Mark and Brian Owens. Bonnie was actively involved in the lives and activities of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Bonnie celebrated her 80th birthday at the Kentucky Derby with her sons and their wives. She was elated to have superior betting results to her sons and daughter-in-laws. She relied on what she saw in the horses. She also traveled out of the country with her youngest son Brian and his wife Liz to Qatar, Colombia, Spain, and Peru. Brian and Liz moved closer to her in Ouray in recent years which pleased Bonnie and she visited often. Bonnie grew up in a competitive home, and her competitive spirit showed up in sports, bridge with friends, and more.
Bonnie was the secretary for two principals at Fruita Monument High School for two decades. She enjoyed attending the school’s football and basketball games. She made many friends there.
Bonnie had one very special place that she would often retreat to, and that was the “cabin” in the San Juans. It was her happy spot. Many friends and family enjoyed the beauty of this place. A group of friends started the Polar Bear club. For nearly 25 years, they would snowshoe into the cabin for a couple of days, and enjoy a makeshift hot tub from a metal water trough.
During the final years of her parents’ lives, Bonnie provided unwavering years of assistance to them.
Mom was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Edith Noble, brother Jimmy Noble (Patsy), and sister Joan (Larry) Johnson. She is survived by her two sons, Mark (Stacey) and Brian (Liz), six grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and brother Roger (Gail) Noble.
The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to Dr. Swink and her oncology team for all their valiant efforts over 2+ years, the wonderful people at Abode Hospice for caring and steadfast support over the past 2 months, Kate Gross for help and friendship, the Right at Home team over her final week, and Chrissey Zaums, chaplain at St. Mary’s Hospital.
Services will be held at Crippin Mortuary in Montrose on Saturday, September 26. Visitation 9:00-9:45 am, service 10:00 am. Burial at Grand View Cemetery, Montrose, 11:00 am.
Ouray County Plaindealer • 2026
