By Kristi Milanowski

Twin Harbors Newspaper Group

Bonnie Montgomery was honored with a surprise 80th birthday party hosted by her family Aug. 19.

Guests were encouraged to share stories about Montgomery at the outdoor barbecue held at her Pe Ell home. A highlight of the celebration was an impromptu sing-along focused on her life, accompanied by grandson Luke on the ukulele.

Montgomery was raised in Grand Forks, North Dakota, the only girl in a family of six brothers. She has worn a variety of hats during her career. The busy mother, grandmother and volunteer is a U.S. Army veteran and received her basic training at Ft. McClellan, Alabama. During her two-year military stint, she was stationed at Ft. Harrison, Indiana, and Ft. Knox, Kentucky.

“I was trained to do payroll and travel vouchers,” she recalled. “I did the voucher part and hated it. It was a desk job.”

In addition, Montgomery has waitressed (“it wasn’t my thing”), managed a hamburger stand, collected eggs, milked cows and tended bar. But the list doesn’t end there. She was employed by Chehalis Parks, where her specialty was baseball fields. For the Town of Pe Ell, she read meters and served as animal control officer. She was supervisor for the juvenile work crew and still organizes work parties when the need arises. She also worked at Pe Ell School as custodian for 23 years and retired in 2011 at the age of 73.

“My work life was never boring,” she said. “But the best and most blessed job was raising my children.”

Her children are Lee (Robin) Montgomery of Adna, and Chris (Aaron) Anderson of Ocosta. Grandchildren are Luke, Kathryn and Ryan Anderson, and Matthew, Bethany and Andrew Montgomery.

Even in retirement, she has no plans to slow down. “Now, I just volunteer on the Pe Ell Active Citizens Committee (mowing grass, painting curbs and whatever else around the community is in need of attention), work at the food bank and help the second-graders in Joleen Peterson’s class with reading weekly at Pe Ell School,” she said. She also serves as a Pe Ell town councilor.

The Town of Pe Ell named her Volunteer of the Year in 2017. “I never felt that I did anything really great, other than being a goof-off,” said the renowned prankster, “so I don’t really feel I deserve any recognition.”

She has lived in Pe Ell since October 1969 and is a longtime member of the New Harvest Church.

When she isn’t busy volunteering, Montgomery enjoys camping and trying new recipes.