Bonnie Johnson, 94
Bonnie Evangeline Nelson was born Nov. 28, 1928, to Bennie and Evelyn (Hokanson) Nelson in Skane Township west of Kennedy. She was the fourth of 14 children born to Bennie and Evelyn.
She attended Kennedy Public School and graduated in 1946. Bonnie was a good student and active in many activities, including cheerleading.
In June of 1947, she was married to Alton (Altie) Johnson. They lived on the farm east of Kennedy where they raised six children. Bonnie worked hard as a farmer’s wife and mother, but never complained.
She was also active in the 4-H club, Maria Lutheran Church, serving on the church council and was the first woman to serve as the Chair of the Council. She was active in the Women’s Auxiliary of V.F.W. Post 3828, where she served as treasurer for many years. She loved her family and friends and enjoyed painting.
When Altie turned the farm over to their oldest son Neil, they moved to town and she worked at the Hartz Store in Kennedy for Rick and Larry Peterson. Bonnie continued to live in Kennedy until a fall caused a broken leg and she was forced to move into assisted living; first in Stephen and then to Minnesota Greenleaf in Thief River Falls. She passed away peacefully at Oakland Park Nursing Home in Thief River on Jan. 2, 2023.
She is survived by sons, Neil (Kim) Johnson of Kennedy, Terry Johnson (Cindy) of Battle Lake, Minn., Dave (Deb) Johnson of Moorhead, Minn., and Bill (Kris) Johnson of Dilworth, Minn.; and daughter, Carole (Dick) Krogstad of Thief River Falls; sisters, Carol Drake, Jeanette Spilde and Becky Neuberger; and brothers, Paul, Larry and Jim; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Alton; and one son, Robert; daughter-in-law, Louise; great-granddaughter, Unity Skye; as well as three sisters, Corrine (Gunnarson), Hazel (Hansen) and infant Susan; and four brothers, Clare, Floyd, Robert and Wayne.
Funeral services will take place at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 19, 2023, at Maria Lutheran Church in Kennedy, with visitation one hour before the funeral and inurnment at Kennedy Cemetery after.
Memorials are preferred to Maria Church, Kittson County Hospice or Kennedy Cemetery Association.
Austin Funeral Chapel, Hallock, is in charge of the arrangements. www. austinfuneralchapel.com.
