Bernard Donald "Donald" Bonnicksen 1922-2000

BONNICKSEN, EMICK, TAFT, OPHEIM, HAUKOOS, TURNQUIST, CHISTIAN, WOLDER

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 11/18/2012 at 18:11:57

Bernard "Donald" Bonnicksen, the son of Knud and Gina (Taft) Bonnickson was born October 20,1922, in Ringsted, Iowa and departed this life on Tuesday, October 3, 2000 at his home in Estherville, Iowa, at the age of 77 years, 11 months and 13 days.

Donald received his education in the Ringsted schools graduating from Ringsted in 1941. He served in the United States Army from 1944 to 1946 during World War II.

On June 25, 1948 he was united in marriage to Lillian Emick in Mankato, Minnesota. Don owned and operated, with his family, a well drilling and pump repair business, Bonnicksen Well Drilling in Ringsted. In 1965, the couple moved to Estherville where he continued to operate his business. In 1971, he began working for the City of Estherville for the street department, retiring in 1987. Don enjoyed watching Western Movies and playing golf.

He was a member of the Estherville Lutheran Church, a lifetime member of the VFW Post #3388, and also the American Legion Post of Ringsted.

Don is survived by his wife, Lillian of Estherville; two children, Becky Opheim and her husband Steve of Fort Dodge, Iowa; son Ryan Bonnicksen and his wife Sherry of Oakdale, MN; nine grandchildren Jenny and Jerry Bonnicksen Haukoos; Eric, Brooke, Christopher Opheim; Shannon, Brock, and Blake Bonnicksen; Holly Turnquist, and one great-grandchild Chelsea.

He is preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Vivian Chistian and Verdabelle Wolder and also by three brothers, Chalmer, Eldon, and Harry.

Services were October 6, 2000 at Estherville Lutheran Church with Rev. Arlyn Norris officiating. Music was What a Friend We Have in Jesus, The Old Rugged Cross, On Eagles Wings, and Borning Cry. Interment was at East Side Cemetery, with military gravesite rites by the VFW Post #3384, American Legion #91, and AMVETS Post #3391. (MC)