Helga Bonetti, age 83, of Brady, Texas passed away Wednesday, February 22, 2023, in Brady, Texas. Helga was born July 2, 1939, in Deidesheim, Germany to Theodor Zipf and Anna Katharina (Hoffman) Zipf. She grew up in Germany and that is where she met and fell in love with a young American Army soldier, stationed at Peden Barracks, named Freddie Bonetti. They were married on February 23, 1962 in Wertheim, Germany. In 1966 Freddie and Helga moved from Germany to Brady, where they made their home. In 1969, SSgt Freddie Bonetti was killed while serving his 3rd tour in Viet Nam, leaving Helga with 2 small children. In 1985 Helga got a second chance at love when she met Bill Nesbit. The two were inseparable until her final day when he kissed her goodbye just before she died.
Helga was a very honest, independent, strong willed, outspoken woman. You always knew exactly where you stood with her. She was a talented seamstress and enjoyed crocheting and knitting. She even crocheted gifts for the nurses just a few weeks before her death. She loved watching NASCAR, being with friends, gardening and caring for her flowers. She was also a very gifted dancer, winning a Polka contest in New Braunfels. She was very proud of her German heritage and cooking, often demonstrating her skills at schuhplattler dance, yodeling and making red cabbage or sauerkraut.
She was very patriotic. She was so proud that her husband, son and daughter all served in the U.S. Army. Next to her 2 children, one of the accomplishments she was most proud of was becoming a United States citizen on February 16, 1965, in San Antonio. She adored her doggie Doofus and her schedule revolved around caring for Doofus. Helga was truly always an adventure in the making. She loved to travel. As a single mother, she took Freddie and Angelina on numerous trips around the country. The world lost a “one of a kind human being” with Helga. She was a force to be reckoned with.
The family will gather to Celebrate the Life of Helga Bonetti with a meal at 12 Noon, Saturday, March 11, 2023 at the First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. Friends may view Helga’s Memorial Video Tribute and/or sign her online memorial guest book at www.leatherwoodmemorialchapels.com.
Helga is survived by her companion of 37 years, Bill Nesbit of Brady; daughter Angelina Bonetti Deans and husband Barry of Voca; step-daughter Freida Bonetti of Stephenville; brother Werner Zipf and wife Isabel of Stuttgart, Germany; grand-daughter Gina Bonetti and husband Florian of Bremen, Germany; grandson Jude Maas of Stephenville; and Bill’s children Gina Nesbit of Odessa; and Casey Nesbit of Sterling City; nephews Jurgen Zipf and family, Norbert Zipf and family; and Volker Brahner and family all of Germany; two great granddaughters, and of course her beloved dog, Doofus. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband SSgt. Freddie Bonetti, son SFC Freddie Bonetti, sister Gerda Zipf, Bill’s son Tracy Nesbit, grandson Jason Maas and niece Karin Zipf.
The family would like to thank Solaris Hospice, Nurse Aimee, and the nurses, therapists, and CNAs at Brady West, especially Ashley, Aaron, and Courtney, and her wonderful neighbors, Connie and Joe.
Memorial contributions in memory of Helga Bonetti may be made to Second Chance Mason Animal Rescue P.O. Box 755 Mason, TX 76856 or online at www.secondchancemason.com and/or McCulloch County Hunger Coalition, P. O. Box 893, Brady, Texas 76825.