Wanda Bonicelli

A private family Liturgy of the Word service for Wanda Bonicelli, 88, of Dickinson, will be held Thursday, January 7th at Stevenson Funeral Home with Fr. Shannon Lucht celebrating. Inurnment will be at a later date in Roseville, CA. Wanda passed away Saturday, January 2, 2016 at St. Luke’s Home, Dickinson. Wanda (Bianchi) Bonicelli was born on April 3, 1927, in Chicago, Illinois to Carlo and Eva (Marcheschi) Bianchi. She grew up and attended schools in Chicago graduating from high school in 1945. After working in Chicago, she traveled to visit relatives in Roseville, CA and decided to stay rather than return to Illinois. She convinced her father, mother and brother to join her in California where they remained throughout their lives. Wanda married Paul M. Bonicelli on September 12, 1948 and started a family–son, Paul Bonicelli of Dickinson, ND and daughter, Ann Bonicelli Wood of Los Angeles, CA. Paul, her husband for 58 years, passed away in 2007. Wanda was an incredible woman who devoted her life to music, volunteer work and her family. Playing the accordion from a young age, she was very involved in music throughout her life. She became one of the first business women in Roseville, CA opening her own music store, Bonicelli Music Co. , and continuing in operation for over 25 years until 1984. She promoted music throughout the Roseville area by giving kazoos to the elementary schools so children could begin music study and supporting all the band leaders in the surrounding public schools. Wanda earned a college music teaching certification degree and she continued teaching music for 60 years. Wanda was a life-time member of the International Soroptimist Club in Roseville & Carmichael, CA and volunteered and fundraised for many service projects in her adopted city of Roseville, CA. Wanda and her husband, Paul moved to Dickinson, ND in 2002 and made their home at Park Avenue Villa until recently. She was a member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church. Wanda loved interacting with people and always wanted to liven up any party with music and singing. Survivors include: son, Paul (Barb) Bonicelli, Dickinson, ND; daughter, Ann (David) Wood, Los Angeles, CA; five grandchildren, Lora (Jeremy) Johnson, Atlanta, GA, Brian (Brianna) Bonicelli, Colorado Springs, CO, John (Tanya) Bonicelli, Fargo, ND, Jacob (Brenda) Wood, Washington D. C. and Jessica Wood, Los Angeles; seven great grandchildren, Cameron & Caden Johnson, Kylie McElroy, Kai & Max Bonicelli, Mabel & Nala Bonicelli.


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Burial Date: January 7, 2016
Church Stevenson Funeral Home

Private Liturgy of the Word Service: Thursday: Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson, ND