K-State Mourns the Passing of Bonnie Barrett

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Bonnie Barrett, the loving wife of 72 years of the late legendary K-State Athletics figure Ernie Barrett, passed away on Monday morning (December 2) at the age of 92 in Manhattan, Kan.

A Celebration of Life is planned for 11 a.m., CT on Tuesday, December 10 at the K-State Alumni Association. The service is open to the public. A private interment will be held at Sunrise Cemetery.

Mrs. Barrett is survived by son Brad, grandson Ryan and wife, Lauren, of Valley Center, great-granddaughter Sophia and four nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents (Susie and Ed Frommer), her sister Peggy, her husband Ernie and her son Duane.

Barrett was born on December 24, 1931, in Valley Falls, Kan., to Susie and Ed Frommer. She graduated from Topeka High School in 1949 before attending Kansas State, where she met her husband, Ernie. They were wed on October 24, 1951, and were married for 72 years before his passing on April 21, 2023.

Barrett was a multi-winning beauty pageant queen, an incredible seamstress, cook, baker and the glue of the Barrett family. Her passions included reading thrillers or mystery novels, a game of Rummikub with her sister and attending and hosting functions with their many friends. Some of her life's greatest joys were following Ernie's 75-year career in K-State Athletics, traveling the world and raising two sons and a grandson.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to a memorial for the Barrett family that has been established at the Kansas State Foundation with donations benefiting the Ernie and Bonnie Barrett Family Men's Basketball Scholarship. Contributions may be sent to: KSU Foundation, 1800 Kimball Ave., Ste 200, Manhattan, KS 66502, please indicate fund M47447. To make a gift online, go to http://ksufoundation.org/give/barrett.

Kansas State University Athletics

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