Obituary of Bonkosi Boilanga

Bonkosi Bo-Ilanga affectionately known as KOKO or NKAKA MALATA, 103, left this world to be with the Lord on December 19, 2019 at Briarwood Healthcare Center in Iowa City, Iowa. “Koko” Bonkosi was born May 20, 1916 in Ntondo, Equateur Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo to Nkumu Nkoto Ipaka and Lobeye Mondela Iyelenei. She was married to Iyomi Mpeti Otola and they had four children. Koko Bonkosi devoted her life to her family and to serving God. She was heavily involved in local church activities, enjoyed singing in the choir for many years and was known for her dancing during church service. Her favorite nativity play role around Christmas time was angel Gabriel. She is survived by daughter Charlotte Lobeye Mpeti Cress and husband Dennis of Iowa City, and many grand children in Africa and United States including: Peter Nkumu and family of Iowa City, Iyomi Mpeti Otola and family of Waukesha, Wisconsin, Libra Edmundson and family of Iowa City, Terrance Cress and family of Las Vegas, Anthony Cress of Las Vegas, Alyssa Bonkosi Horn and family of Philadelphia, PA and many, many great-grandchildren in Democratic Republic of Congo, other African countries, and the United States. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Iyomi Mpeti Otola”Kepa” and sons, Iyomi Mpeti Otola(Pierre), Nkumu Nkoto Ipaka (Gabriel) and Mahambi Mpeti (Emmanuel). We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the staff at Briarwood Health Care Center for the excellent care they provided Koko in her final years and to Dr. Zeitler and to Dr. Eberle for their caring medical services.