Bonnie G. Cappo – Superior Telegram
Bonnie Gay (Nelson) Cappo passed away on July 9th, 2022, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth.
She was born December 22nd, 1950, in St. Louis, Missouri to Donald Chris Nelson and Dorothy Louise (Fairbanks). She attended many different schools until graduating from Superior Senior High in 1969. She worked at Geno’s for a time and also as a maid at the Superior Inn.
She married her first husband and gave birth to her son Michael. She then married her second husband, Edwin Paavola, and had her son, Matt. While living near Hibbing, Minnesota, they bought and ran Grandma’s Corner Store. After the passing of her second husband, the family moved to Hibbing where she worked at a nursing home. Some years later she met and married her third husband, James Cappo. They eventually moved to Arizona where they were caretakers of a trailer park. After living there for several years, they decided to move back to Hibbing to be near their grandchildren. When her third husband passed, Bonnie decided to come back to Superior to be closer to her sister, Jan.
Once in Superior, she became a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. There she held the office of Trustee for many years and helped out whenever she could. During their bake sales she made banana bread and eventually had requests for more. She was also a member of the Loyal Order of Moose. She and her sister would spend a few days at the casino together, not that they ever got lucky, but had such good times. She enjoyed playing bingo and bunco even more. While living here, her step-grandson, Austin Cappo, presented her with a baby girl who she always bragged about.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, Edwin Paavola and James Cappo; mother and father, Dorothy and Donald; and brother, Bruce.
Bonnie is survived by her sons, Michael Birk and Matt Paavola; sister, Janice Keene; brother, Donald (Mary); grandchild, EmJay Paavola; many step children, step-grandchildren, step-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many special friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Eagles Club, Saturday, July 16th from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m., 1710 N 12th Street.
In lieu of flowers, please give a donation to the cancer society.
Downs Funeral Home, 1617 N 19th St., is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.downsfh.com.