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. The family will have a private celebration of Bonnie’s life.

Bonita, or "Bonnie" as she was known to everyone, or "Lil Boppa" (Maylon is Big Boppa) as she was lovingly known by her grandkids and great 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 Schuh, at the tender age of 14, when she worked at Charlie's Pizza.

The high school sweethearts were married on March 6, 1971, and Bonnie and Maylon went on to have five children: Aaron, Tanya, Dawn, and Amanda.

Bonnie and Maylon spent their adult life in public service, both as civilians and as proud members of the military. In 1972, Bonnie assisted in rescue efforts in the Rapid City Flood, saving many lives. In 1980, Bonnie joined the South Dakota National Guard and served 12 years in the military. In 1988, Bonnie was chosen as the Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year for the United States Sixth US Army Area, being the first and thus far only South Dakota National Guard female non-commissioned officer honored in this way on the national level.

For her efforts she received the Army Commendation Medal and was inducted into the Army Women's Foundation, Army Women in History. Click here to see: Army Women in History - Army Women's Foundation (then scroll down to 1988). Bonnie completed the cadre trainers course and trained other soldiers in their military missions. She was also a member of the state marksmanship team, and made quite a name for herself, being referred to as "Sgt. Little Foot" since her husband already was "Sgt. Schuh." Although busy with her military involvement, including starting the Family Preparedness program, Bonnie and Maylon found time to take their children on adventures. All of them remember fondly Bonnie's Big Tupperware container full of her home-made cocoa, which tasted wonderful on the cold fall mornings during antelope hunts.

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. Bonnie wanted people to know their roots, who their family was, as family was always the center of her life. In the year 2000, she followed Maylon on a military tour in Germany, and for seven years, Bonnie and Maylon took full advantage of their station and traveled all over Europe. When they finally returned to their home in South Dakota, the boxes of treasures they collected during their travels were seemingly endless. Bonnie joined Maylon in "retirement" and the two set out to build their dream home, adding massive rooms with European features they saw during their travels.

Between spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and visiting her children and grandchildren who live a bit farther away, Bonnie still found time to help Maylon in numerous projects for friends and family, and time to host massive parties for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, the spring Fish Fry, and the huge annual Family Reunion, to name just a few. Bonnie was truly the matriarch, pulling her family together and providing an opportunity for the family to be together. She will be missed beyond measure.

Bonnie is survived by her beloved husband Maylon; children: Aaron (Anita) Schuh of Germany; Tanya (Ben) Culver of Mitchell; Dawn Pfiester of Mitchell, Amanda (David) Sheets of Mitchell; grandchildren: Kennedy Schuh, Olivia Schuh, Dakotah Poitras, Dillon (MacKayla) Schuh, Desarae (Justin) van Niekerk, Damon Culver, Dominik Culver, Korbin Culver; Percy (lan) Day, DJ Sheets Ill, Aylon Sheets; great grand-children: Kenzley and Grayson van Niekerk, Derrek Poitras, and Nohra May Schuh; siblings: Bob (Sandi) Young, Beve Mowry, Brenda Young, Randy (Tami) Young, Roger (Shari) Young, Rolly (Noreen) Young, Rus (Vickie) Young, Rex (Tami) Young, and Beth (Steve) Lillie.

Bonnie was preceded in death by both of her parents and one sister, Belinda Young.

Condolences and well wishes for the family can be sent to Maylon and Bonnie Schuh,

41299 255th St, Mitchell, SD 57301.