Bonnie Ruth (Rardin) Mika Obituary

Bonnie Ruth (Rardin) Mika was born on August 24, 1934 at home near Milltown, South Dakota to Wesley E. and Mabel R. (Taylor) Rardin. She was the second oldest of five children. Her childhood was spent helping on the family farm. She was a member of the Lookout 4H Club, and went through all eight grades at Milltown. She then graduated from Parkston High School in 1952. She attended Southern State Teacher’s College where she received a “town school” Teacher’s Certificate. She taught fifth grade in Platte, SD for two years.

Bonnie married Joseph F. Mika on August 21, 1955 at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church in Kimball, SD after his discharge from the Coast Guard. Bonnie was a farm wife and raised four children on two different farms in the Bijou Hills/Academy, SD area. She had a love of music and took piano lessons as a child. She played the piano at many different functions. In her later adult life she taught piano for many years to the local children. Her greatest passions were music and her family.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents; her younger brother, Bill Rardin; her older sister, Betty Jones; and a nephew, Bill Rardin.