Bonnie "BJ" Jean Cunningham Steffens Obituary (1931 - 2024)

Born Oct 25, 1931, Bonnie "BJ" Jean Cunningham Steffens attended Charlevoix High School in Charlevoix, MI. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Bonnie "bj" Jean Cunningham Steffens.

Graduation Year	Class of 1949
Date of Birth	Oct 25, 1931
Date of Passing	Nov 02, 2024
About	onnie Jean “BJ” Steffens, of Petoskey, MI, died peacefully at the age of 93, surrounded by her loving and devoted family. She was born on October 25, 1931, in Charlevoix, MI, to parents Hap and Norma Cunningham. Growing up in Charlevoix, BJ was best known for her jovial personality, which was best represented as a Charlevoix High School cheerleader, a loyal friend, and a loving sister and daughter. BJ loved her hometown and all the friends and family she spent time with as she grew up. Her most treasured memories were her time spent on the Cunningham family farm and her sister Joyce’s cottage - where cousins grew up together and cherished memories were made. Of all the memorable moments BJ experienced in Charlevoix, her most treasured was meeting the love of her life and future husband, Bill Steffens. They were married on June 26, 1954, at the Charlevoix United Methodist Church and raised six wonderful children who, in turn, gave them nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Family was the hallmark of BJ’s character and personality. She dedicated her life to raising her children, caring for loved ones, doting on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and acting as a second mother to any friend who walked through her front door. BJ’s house was where you would always get offered a homecooked meal, her radiant smile, or her signature BJ hug! Throughout her life, BJ has never hesitated to care for someone who needed help. She stepped in to help her sister Judy’s children after Judy passed; she and her husband Bill took in Bill’s brother John to join the Steffens family and become a member of the Petoskey community. She devoted many years to sharing her home with her mother-in-law, Marguerite, and caring for her mother, Norma, after her father’s passing. She was a role model and inspiration as someone who dedicated her time and energy to her family and continually put their needs before her own. In her early years as a Petoskey resident, BJ worked as an aide at Ottawa Elementary, keeping a watchful and protective eye on the playground and being a gentle and caring helper in the former Char-Em classroom. She and her family were founding members of the American Legion Midshipmen Drum and Bugle Corp. She was one of the moms known for devoting time to sewing the flags, making alterations on uniforms, cooking meals, and chaperoning trips to competitions. Her dedication and service to her church and community personified her caring and giving character; whether it was making food for a funeral lunch at St. Francis, organizing the August dinner, or volunteering her time at Brother Dan’s Food Pantry, BJ never missed an opportunity to lend her time and talents. Her life exemplified what it meant to be kind, thoughtful, and caring. She left a legacy best described: “Grandma, if I had a flower for every time you made me smile, I would have a garden forever!” BJ is preceded in death by her husband, Bill Steffens, her parents, Hap and Norma Cunningham, and sisters, Joyce Davenport and Judy Suomela. She is survived by her children, Gary (Lynn) Steffens, Karen (Kim) Thomson, Kathy (Keith) Nahlovsky, Karla (Stephen) Frei, Mike Steffens, and Mary Kay (Corey) Pederson. Her grandchildren are Jamie (Toby) Breaky, Tracy (Taylor Martin) Thomson, Joshua Derrig, Kari (Sam) Anderson, Kasey Nahlovsky, Jason and Ashley Frei, Emma and Abby Pederson. Her great-grandchildren are Jackson, Branden, Tyler Breaky; Luna, Lucianna, and Leomi Anderson; Brody Brown, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting memorial donations can be made to: Brother Dan’s Food Pantry (415 State Street, Petoskey, MI 49770) or Mary Margret House (36 Bridge Street, Petoskey MI, 49770). Plans are being made for a memorial service in the spring of 2025. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Bonnie "BJ" Jean (Cunningham) Steffens, please visit our Tree Store.