Beneta Dompke

About the Author

Beneta is a retired educator and is known by all as “Bonnie”. She brings a rich and varied lifetime of experiences through teaching and volunteer work. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Speech and English from Alverno College, a Masters in Educational Computing from Cardinal Stritch University, and a Reading Certification from Mount Mary University.

Bonnie and her late husband, Alvin, a television producer/director, were also active volunteers in both church and community. Throughout the early years of their marriage they moved often and benefitted from meeting people, volunteering, and travelling around the United States. As the children entered the picture, that life-style changed to include: Mary Ann, Alvin Jr (Tony), Steven, and Andrew (Andy). It seemed that each move brought another child; Mary and Tony were born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Steven was born in Lackawanna, New York, and Andy was born in Columbus, Ohio. The family finally settled in West Allis, Wisconsin where they remained until the children moved out to start their own lives.

Among her many experiences are Drama/theater, story-telling, writing, sewing and crafts, puppetry, computer education, music, scouting and Parish ministry. She taught for over 20 years in the Catholic School System, and was Computer Coordinator for Milwaukee Achiever Program (now Milwaukee Achiever Literacy Services). Throughout this lifetime of service to others, Bonnie believes that “You are never too old to learn.” (learned during years as an Adult educator). Now that she is retired and living in an Assisted Living Facility, she tries to pass this on to others through activities.

Many of these same interests have been passed down to the children and grandchildren, as they had been passed down from her parents. It was her father, Steve Berte, who had written his story of growing up on the East side of Milwaukee. Her mother, Margaret, had told many stories of growing up and kept a journal of her European trip. This gave Bonnie the impetus to gather these notes, conduct interviews of family members, and succeed in writing the family memoirs, Memories Are Made of This. The children and grandchildren have continued the story through their own interest in theater, music, puppetry and writing.

Bonnie has already crossed off two items on her bucket list: fly to Orlando and Miami with two of her granddaughters, and publish a book. Through it all she is passing down a legacy of strong Faith and Trust in God, that there are good times and bad times. But she holds a strong belief that “When God closes a door, He opens another.” Her prayer: “Jesus, I trust in You.” Because “With God, nothing is impossible.”

She is currently working on several more books. Her next book will be a collection of original poetry, Come Walk With Me, and is already available as paperback and Kindle version. In the planning stages are her children's stories, and a resource book for teachers, scout leaders, and community theater groups. This will be a three act play, plus a collection of puppet plays. Another book being compiled will be a bittersweet collection of true stories about a family coping with childhood cancer.