BONNER, Donald Deane "Don"
BONNER, VANDERHOFF, COLBY, EWERS, SODERSTRUM, MORTENSON
Posted By: Sharon R. Becker (email)
Date: 11/9/2017 at 20:06:04
Obituary ~ Donald Deane "Don" Bonner
December 28, 1931 ~ August 31, 2017The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
September 03, 2017SWALEDALE -- Donald Deane Bonner, 85, of Swaledale, died Thursday, August 31, 2017 at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa. Visitation with lunch will be held Saturday, September 9 at St. Peter Lutheran Fellowship Hall in Rockwell, IA from 11 am-2 pm. A short prayer service will follow at the Mt. Vernon Cemetery with Pastor Rhea Evanson officiating.
Donald was born December 28, 1931 in Mason City, the son of Lloyd and Vivian (Vanderhoff) Bonner. He attended one year of a country school before completing his education in Swaledale graduating in 1949. Don was baptized and confirmed at the Swaledale Methodist Church but later joined the St. Peter Lutheran Church when moving back to the area to farm. While Don was an only child, he was lucky to have six Bonner cousins and eight Morse cousins so he never felt alone. His Grandma Bonner used to send the four Bonner boys, Fatt(Don), Slim, Tom, and John, outside to play before putting them to work on the farm.
Don began working for the Chicago Great Western Railroad in 1952 which later became the Northwestern Railroad. He was a depot agent for over 30 years before retiring from the railroad. In 1962, Don moved his family to the country and began farming – often referring to himself as the ‘midnight' farmer while doing both jobs.
Donald married Bonnie Jean Colby on July 12, 1953. To this union, were born a daughter, Terri Lynn (Russell) Ewers of Clear Lake and a son, Ted Donald (Wendy) Bonner of Swaledale. He is also survived by 5 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren — Caleb & Amanda Ewers (Caleigh and Blaise), Catherine Ewers (Fletcher), Cheryl Ewers & Thane Soderstrum (Edith and Elias), Lacy & TJ Mortenson (Acea and Rhett) and Beau Bonner.
Don loved his family, his friends, and farming! In the spring and fall of the year, he could be found on a tractor or even in his truck watching the fields. During the summer and winter, he played cards twice a week with his ‘card playing' friends – many of whom he called the ‘kids'. Don was fortunate enough to live the life he loved – who could ask for more.
Arrangements: Retz Funeral Home, 203 Maple Street, Sheffield, IA. 641-892-4241. www.retzfh.com
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, November of 2017
Cerro Gordo Obituaries maintained by Lynn Diemer-Mathews.
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