Bonnie Jeanne “BJ” Herrick, 91, of North Platte, peacefully passed away surrounded by her family at Great Plains Health on June 15, 2025.

BJ was born on Jan. 3, 1934, in rural Frontier County to Carl and Aurie Zysset. She and her seven siblings grew up on a farm and attended rural school in Farnam. BJ graduated from the University of Nebraska School of Agriculture High School at Curtis, then began teaching at a country school north of Bartley. She left teaching to marry Lynn Herrick on April 13, 1952. They later divorced in 1962.

BJ had five children whom she loved dearly. She raised them in Aurora, Colorado, while working at Union Supply. She then moved to North Platte, where she held many roles, including a ticket agent at the Greyhound bus depot, clerical work at Lutheran Family Services, and, eventually, loved greeting guests at the Cody Park train station. She loved her work and continued until she was 86 (yes, 86!). Her most cherished roles were those of Mother, Grandmother/Grandi and Great-Grandmother.

BJ loved her family, crossword puzzles and the color pink. She was stubborn until the end, with her sense of humor and love for giving people a hard time. She had a kind, thoughtful and sweet way about her – always thinking of others – and made a mean cinnamon roll. With her and her mother’s love of music, she instilled that appreciation of music into many of her children and grandchildren, playing the guitar and piano, and was always ready for a sing-along for anyone who wanted to participate.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Aurie Zysset; brothers, Mervin, Paul and Kenny Zysset; sisters, Evelyn Wolf, Ruth Crum and Janice Quinn; and son, Kirby Herrick.

BJ is survived by her children, Kim (Kendy) Herrick, Tandi (Rob) Ashburn and Tawni Stewart, all of North Platte and Rocky (Tamie) Herrick of St. Johns, Arizona; her sister, Lorene Raburn of Cambridge; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and other family.

Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com.

Memorial service is at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 21, at the Church of Christ, 700 South Willow Street, with a reception following. Burial follows at the Farnam Cemetery. In celebration of BJ’s life and her favorite color, the family invites anyone attending to wear pink if they’re so inclined. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.

Odean Colonial Chapel June 19, 2025