Those who knew Bonnie Barnett recall the late Fort Dodge woman as very hard working.

She worked at the Best Western Starlite Village Inn & Suites, the Great Western Dining Service at Iowa Central Community College and Hy-Vee. And if that wasn’t enough, she cleaned houses.

In her will, Barnett, who died Nov. 16, 2023, at age 80, shared the earnings of all that labor with her community.

She willed $1,337,613.15 to seven organizations, according to attorney Mark Crimmins, who was the executor of her estate.

Iowa Central Community College received the biggest share, with $535,045.26.

Crimmins, who is the president of the college’s Board of Trustees, said that money will be used to create the Bonnie K. Largent Barnett Scholarships. He said that amount of money properly invested will enable the college to award a lot of scholarships.

“It’s going to make a difference in a lot of students’ lives,” he said.

He said Barnett “just loved visiting with the students” when she worked in the college cafeteria.

“She wanted to help students go to school,” Crimmins said.

The Humane Society of North Central Iowa received the next biggest share of $267,522.63. Barnett was known for her love of Boston terriers.

The Fort Dodge Public Library, YWCA, and Trinity Health Foundation each received $133,761.32.

“Bonnie was an avid library user,” said Rita Schmidt, the director of the library. “All of the staff who worked here for many years knew her. She’s going to be missed.”

“She just, I think, really appreciated Fort Dodge and everything we have to offer,” Schmidt said.

She described Barnett as a “really interesting, unique, wonderful individual.”

The Domestic/Sexual Assault Outreach Center received $66,880.66.

Brenda McBride, the executive director of the center, said the money was a complete surprise.

“We are just so grateful for this gift,” she said.

Scout Troop 8 in Fort Dodge also received $66,880.66.

Barnett’s Beneficiaries

The late Bonnie Barnett bequeathed $1,337,613.15 to seven Fort Dodge organizations. They are:

• Iowa Central Community College: $535,045.26

• Humane Society of North Central Iowa: $$267,522.63

• Fort Dodge Public Library: $133,761.32

• YWCA: $133,761.32

• Trinity Health Foundation: $133,761.32

• Domestic/Sexual Assault Outreach Center: $66,880.66

• Scout Troop 8: $66,880.66