Bonita “Bonnie” Schuh

Dates

Obituary

Bonita “Bonnie” Marie (Young) Schuh, 75, of Mitchell, SD, passed away on Saturday, January 24, 2026, surrounded by family at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls. Military Honors memorial service will be held at 11:30 AM Saturday, May 30, at the Servicemen’s Memorial Cemetery outdoor shelter in Mitchell, with luncheon to follow at Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Bonita, or “Bonnie” as she was known to everyone, or “Lil Boppa” (her husband, Maylon, is Big Boppa) as she was lovingly known by her grandkids, was born the eldest of eleven siblings in Mitchell on September 7, 1950, to Ralph and Patricia (Chivington) Young. She met her husband, Maylon, at the tender age of 14 while working at Charlie’s Pizza.

The high school sweethearts were married on March 6th, 1971. Bonnie and Maylon went on to have five children, 15 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren.

Bonnie was a civilian military spouse in Rapid City during the devastating flood of 1972. She used her private auto to transport flood victims to safety. She also entered raging waters to rescue a baby and again later to help an Airman from Ellsworth Air Force Base rescue a woman clinging to a tree and get her to safety.

Bonnie joined the SD National Guard in 1980 and spent 12 years in service. She received many letters of appreciation from General Commanders, and awards and decorations for her military accomplishments above and beyond, in her assigned duties. The highest and most revered was her victory in being the first female soldier awarded the United States 6th Army National Guard Non-Commissioned Officer of the year for 1988. She was then recognized as the United States Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) Nation Guard Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year. This was a nationwide honor which required her presence in Washington D.C. and personal interview with the Commanding General of the United States Army. She was inducted into the History of Women of the U.S. Army Foundation as the first female in the U.S. Army to have been selected for this high honor. Click here to see: Army Women in History - Army Women's Foundation (then scroll down to 1988). She completed the Cadre Trainers Course and trained other soldiers in military missions, was a member of the State Marksmanship team and volunteered for many other duties.

Although busy with her military involvement, including starting the Family Preparedness Program, Bonnie and Maylon still found time to take their children on adventures like camping, repelling, and traveling (here and in Europe). Her big container of homemade hot cocoa was a favorite among everyone, on cold mornings while hunting. After leaving the military in 1992, Bonnie got busy as a local entrepreneur and finally had time to engage in her lifelong passion for genealogy. She wanted people to know their roots, as family was always the center of her life. In the year 2000, she joined Maylon on a military tour in Germany. For seven years, they traveled all over Europe. They hosted family and friends overseas, too. When they finally returned to their home in SD, they brought boxes of treasures they had collected with them. She joined Maylon in retirement and set out to build their dream home, including great rooms decorated with European features they saw in their travels.

Between spoiling her grand and great-grandchildren and visiting her children and grandchildren who lived farther away, she still found time to help with numerous projects for friends and family. Bonnie and Maylon hosted massive parties for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, their annual spring Fish-Fry, and the huge annual Family Reunion. Bonnie was truly the matriarch, pulling her family and close friends together. She will be missed beyond measure.

Bonnie is survived by her beloved husband Maylon; Children: Aaron (Anita) Schuh of Colorado, Schane Schuh of Custer, Tanya (Ben) Culver of Mitchell, Dawn Pfiester of Mitchell, Amanda (David) Sheets of Mitchell; Grandchildren: Kennedy & Olivia Schuh, Dakota Poitras, Dillon (MacKayla) Schuh, Desarae (Justin) van Niekerk, Riley & Jacob & Macy Schuh, Damon & Dominik & Korbin Culver, Percy (Ian) Day, DJ & Aylon Sheets; Great grandchildren: Kenzley & Grayson van Kiekerk, Derrek Poitras and Nohra Schuh; Siblings: Bob (Sandi) Young, Beve Mowry, Brenda Young, Randy (Tami) Young, Roger (Shari) Young, Rolly (Noreen) Young, Russ (Vickie) Young, Rex (Tami) Young and Beth (Steve) Lillie Nieces and Nephews… too numerous to count.

Bonnie was preceded in death by both parents Ralph and Patricia Young, her sister Belinda Young and her nieces Zabrina Gukeisen and Heather Hoeltzner. Condolences and well wishes for the family can be sent to Maylon Schuh 41299 255th St. Mitchell, SD 57301.

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