Bounniene "Bonnie" Baccam

Bounniene "Bonnie" Baccam, 53, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died Thursday, March 21, 2013, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Visitation will be held Friday, March 22, 2013, beginning at 12:00 noon at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel. The family will receive friends from 5:00- 7:00 p.m. that evening. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 23, 2013, at 1:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Doug Darnold officiating. Cremation will be accorded following the funeral service. Inurnment will be at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the Mt. Pleasant Community School Foundation designated for students with special needs. Born September 27, 1959 in Vientiane, Laos, Bonnie was the daughter of Toan and the late Choum Baccam. In 1976, Bonnie moved with her family to Mt. Pleasant. She graduated from Mt. Pleasant Community High School in 1981, and from Iowa Wesleyan College in 1985 with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. Bonnie worked for Alaniz and Sons and ResCare of Iowa for a number of years before becoming a full-time caregiver to her mother. Though she was crippled with polio as a young child and bound to a wheelchair, Bonnie spent much of her life and energy advocating for and nurturing others. She loved nothing more than caring for and raising her beloved nieces and nephews. Her compassion and infectious laugh deeply touched everyone she met. She loved music and was especially fond of Thai soap opera. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Mt. Pleasant. Survivors include her father, Toan Baccam; six sisters, Yenchay (Tony) Tangkhpanya, Tia (Rod) Scheitlin, and Phanie Baccam all of Mt. Pleasant, IA, Joy (Damon) Benedict of North Liberty, IA, Panith Baccam-Crile of Waukee, IA, and Panom (David) Foell of Urbandale, IA; four brothers, Inh Joe (Bounmy) Baccam, Khuong Kham (Oat) Baccam, Khamheuang (Chanh) Baccam and Lou (Stacie) Baccam, all of Mt. Pleasant, IA; 12 nephews, 12 nieces; and numerous great nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death are her mother, Choum; and two brothers, Khoi Baccam and Go Baccam.