Bonnie Jean "BJ" Christoson
May 1, 1943 – October 15, 2025

Bonnie Jean "BJ" Christoson passed away on October 15, 2025, in Roseburg, Oregon. She was born on May 1, 1943, in Pontiac, Michigan.

BJ is survived by her daughter, Tonda Lynn Bowman of Hermiston, Oregon; two grandchildren, Heather Miller and Josh Barboe; and several great-grandchildren, Andrea, Lizzy, Hope, Jordan, and Jessyka. She also leaves behind her brother, Pete Christoson and one younger sister Mary Eileen Smallwood.

BJ attended school in Coquille for several years before moving with her parents to Eastern Oregon, where she graduated from high school. Although her parents later returned to Coquille, BJ had fallen in love with Eastern Oregon and made it her lifelong home base.

Throughout her years in and around Baker City, BJ and her husband started and managed many businesses. Among their ventures were several secondhand stores, her favorite, she always said, as well as a restaurant, museum, and gift shop in Sumpter. Together they also founded a buy/sell/trade paper, operated an outdoor supply and shoe repair shop, and managed numerous rental properties. Over the years, BJ ran restaurants, motels, and retail stores, including a Hallmark shop, and even worked as an administrative associate in the Communications Department at Intel in Hillsboro, Oregon.

BJ had a zest for life and enjoyed horseback riding, hunting, fishing, metal detecting, and bottle digging. In 2007, seeking milder winters and closer medical care, she moved to Winston, Oregon, a place she quickly grew to love.

She was active in her community, spending seven years in the Winston TOPS chapters, founding two new chapters in Winston and Dillard, and participating in the Senior Center and the Community Baptist Church. BJ was baptized in September 2020 and proudly became a child of God.

As BJ would say "In all, it's been a great ride!"