Bonita Rosalie Stien, age 100, died Wednesday, November 20, 2013 at Oakridge Senior Living, Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

She was born October 11, 1913 to Ripley G. and Anna (Precourt) Newby in the Town of Buena Vista, Portage County. She graduated from Emerson High School in 1931 and from Central State Teachers College in 1935 with a degree in education. She later did post-graduate study in Library Science. She taught high school and was band director at Boyceville, Wisconsin from 1935 – 1937.

In 1937 she married Clell George Stien in Buena Vista. They moved frequently as part of Clell’s job before returning to Stevens Point in 1958.  She later returned to teaching and was the director of the Instructional Media Center – Library for the Stevens Point area elementary schools.

Always active and athletic, her interests included water skiing, XC skiing, bicycling, curling and golf. She played clarinet in the Grenadiers Band for many years.  One of the founders of the Stevens Point League of Women Voters and longtime member of the Portage County Library Board, she was honored as State Library Trustee of the year. She received recognition and many awards for her community service and also for her participation in competitive athletic events.

Always a person of strong faith, she has been a very active member of St. Paul’s Methodist Church. She was especially proud of her participation in United Methodist Women and Rachel Circle.

Survivors include her children, Kim (Lorann) Stien of Eau Claire, Kay (Lynn) Blair of Waupaca, Craig (Phyllis) Stien of Marquette, Michigan, Kirk Stien of Mazatlán, Mexico, and Jill (Richard) Storm of Marquette, Michigan. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren and many great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clell, in 2003, a sister, Beverly Winkler, a brother, Raymond Newby, a grandson and 2 great grandchildren.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to: Women in Action of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church or UWSP Foundation for Women’s Athletic Fund. Online condolences may be made at www.bostonfuneralhome.net.

A Funeral Service is being arranged for family members only. Burial will be held in Plover Cemetery. Boston Funeral Home is assiting the family.

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