Bonnie Grace Ochs was born March 20, 1922 in Guthrie, Olahoma, to Jennie Myrtle Ochs and Peter John Ochs. She was the youngest of 4 children, 3 girls and 1 boy and the last survivor. Bonnie grew up in Guthrie, Oklahoma, where her parents owned and operated Ochs Bakery for 40 years. Bonnie loved to sing and dance at a young age. At the age of 14 she and a friend taught dancing to about 25 young students. In 1937 Bonnie moved to California for her senior year at South Pasadena High School and graduated in 1938 at the age of 16. She also earned enough money at that time to take voice lessons from a well known teacher in Pasadena. Since she was too young to drive a car, a good looking boy escorted her to her voice lessons and later became her husband Gene. Bonnie and Gene were very active in couples groups at church and Bonnie sang for many years in the Presbyterian Choir and also the "Happy Harmoneers" locally. She had a beautiful voice and sang at many weddings and funerals. She would often do solo's at their church in Arcadia and more recently, when they moved to Hemet.

Bonnie and Gene moved to Hemet in 1956 where she went door to door selling Avon until she got her real estate license in 1964 and her brokers license in 1965 when she opened her own office "Aloha Realty". She was very active in real estate serving as president and vice president of Women's Council and the Hemet/San Jacinto Board of Realtors. In 1975 Gene and Bonnie purchased the property at Florida and Thompson and built "Aloha Village" where she was broker for "Realty World Aloha" and also opened "Aloha Tea Room" where she was able to express her talent and love of baking, especially pies. She was doing the two things she enjoyed most, at the same location. Bonnie and Gene retired in 1991 and built a beautiful summer home on Lake Coeur D' Alene in Coeur D' Alene, Idaho, where they spent many special times with family and friends. Bonnie loved to entertain and cook, having many dinner parties. She was well known for her homemade pies and especially her English toffee, which was a favorite of many. She was always interested in helping people, especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas, making sure those less fortunate would somehow get a good meal and also helping gather gifts for the families at Christmas. If a friend was in trouble, she would tell them they needed to come to church with Gene and her, to hear about the one who could help with the problem. She always looked for ways to bring people to church, to come to know the God she loved. Bonnie was a woman who loved life and people to the fullest. She loved her Husband, Gene, married for 63 years; her 2 boys, Gary and Dennis, and their wives Karen and Georgia; her 6 grandchildren, Michelle, John, Cameron, Cheri, Todd, and Kristin; As well as her 11 great-grandchildren. I don't think there was ever a person she didn't like. 

Press-Enterprise, September 25, 2005