Bonnie Fairchild, Bryan’s mother-in-law dies at 94

Thursday, May 11, 2000 | 11:14 a.m.

Bonnie Fairchild, the mother-in-law of Sen. Richard Bryan and the first of three generations of her family to attend University of Nevada, Reno, has died, she was 94.

Franklin died Tuesday in Lodi, Calif., her birthplace and her lifelong town of residency.

Bryan, D-Nev., left Washington on Wednesday with his wife, Bonnie, to attend Friday's funeral services in Lodi -- located outside Sacramento -- a spokesman for the senator said.

Franklin was for many years a regular visitor to Northern Nevada and helped Bryan with his campaigns.

She was born Bonnie Wilder in April 1906 and was a retired schoolteacher. She also was active in the Methodist Church and the hospital auxiliary.

Fairchild attended UNR, where years later Richard would meet her daughter, Bonnie, a fellow student whom he would marry. Their son, Richard, also attended UNR.

Fairchild's husband, Bailey, operated a small dairy farm and bottled milk. He preceded her in death in 1967.

She was an avid fan of the San Francisco Giants baseball team.

In addition to Bonnie Bryan, Fairchild is survived by another daughter, Betty Albracht; a sister, Aileen Brien; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

The family said donations can be made in Bonnie Fairchild's memory to the First Methodist Church of Lodi, 200 W. Oak St., Lodi, Calif., 95240.