Bonestroo, Tom "Tommy" 1957-2023

BONESTROO, SMIT, OLDENKAMP

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/12/2023 at 13:31:08

Mr. Tom Bonestroo, age 66, of Hull, passed away on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at the Avera McKennan Hospital and University Health Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

A visitation with the family present will be held on Friday, November 10, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, at the First Reformed Church in Hull. There will be a funeral service on Saturday, November 11, at 2:00pm, at the church with the Rev. Adam Van Der Stoep officiating. Interment will follow the service at the Hope Cemetery in Hull. The Oolman Funeral Home in Hull is in charge of arrangements.

Tommy, the son of Thomas and Betty (Oldenkamp) Bonestroo, was born on April 25, 1957, in Sheldon. His family moved from Sheldon to Hull when Tom was a child, and he became a student at the Boyden-Hull Elementary and High School, graduating in 1975.

On June 20, 1975, in Boyden, Tom was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Laura Kay Smit. Together they made their home in Hull until moving west of town to Perkins in 1977. As a young man, Tom worked for his father at Bonestroo Salvage and for Northwest Builders, both in Perkins. He later started working at Sioux-Preme Packing in Sioux Center until 1996, when he purchased the salvage yard from his father. In addition to his full-time work, he also operated Tom’s Gun Shop from the basement of his home.

Tom was a member of the First Reformed Church in Hull and served on their consistory as both a deacon and an elder. He was also a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and was active with the Alvord Gun Club, where earlier this year his team placed first in both the spring and fall trap shooting league. Tom was an avid New York Yankees fan and enjoyed being active whether it was playing fastpitch softball, bowling, going hunting and fishing, or grilling a variety of meats. His greatest joy was spending time with and attending his grandchildren’s activities and events and spent many summer nights rooting on the #78 Baatz race car at Primghar. He looked forward to getting people together, from family reunions or parties to an intimate game of cards or a visit. Tom was also an artist in his own way, he liked to draw, had impeccable and beautiful handwriting, and often used his creativity to repurpose items from his salvage business into unique lawn and garden ornaments for family and friends.

Those who will miss him the most include his wife of more than 48 years, Laura, of Perkins; two daughters and their husbands, Rebecca and Chad Baatz, of Hospers, and Jodi and Jonathan Bruce, of Hull; a son and his wife, Tony and Jessica Bonestroo, of Hull; an honorary son and his wife, Tai and Xuan Dinh, of Houston, Texas; thirteen grandchildren, Dylan, Hailey, Hannah, Cason, and Tate Baatz; Jada, Justin, Joslyn, and Jenae Bruce; Micah, Kohen, and Maelyn Bonestroo; and Kevin Dinh; two great-grandchildren, Carter and Connor Baatz; his mother, Betty Bonestroo, of Hull; two sisters and their husbands, Lana and Roger Jacobsma, of Clinton, and Kim and Tim Van Tilburg, of Rock Valley; two brothers and their wives, Terry and Gayle Bonestroo, and Todd and Deb Bonestroo, all of Hull; a brother-in-law and his wife, Dennis and Judy Smit, of Parker, Colorado; and sister-in-law, Deanne Hamlin, of Springfield, Minnesota; his “junk yard dog”, Bella; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Bonestroo; his wife’s parents, Casey and Luella Smit; and two brothers-in-law Carey Smit and Larry Smit.

Memorials will be given to the family for future designation.

Source: Oolman Funeral Home online obituary.