Craig R. Bohnker (1952-2007)

BOHNKER, JOHNSTON, ROMSEY

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 12/28/2007 at 22:13:19

THE STORY CITY HERALD, Story City, Story County, Iowa, Wednesday, December 19, 2007.

Craig R. Bohnker was born Feb. 29, 1952, the son of Eugene and Lois Johnston Bohnker. He passed away Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007 at Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 55.

Craig was born in Denison, Iowa and was baptized and confirmed at United Methodist Church in Charter Oak. He received his education in Charter Oak, graduating from Charter Oak High School with the class of 1970. He continued his education at Ellsworth Junior Community College in Iowa Falls and received his Bachelor of Science from Iowa State University in Ames in May of 1974. Throughout his life he worked as a Laboratory Technician in the Animal Science Reproduction Department of Iowa State University, as a Veterinary Assistant for Dr. D.M. Olson in Story City, a Fieldman for the Iowa Beef Improvement Association in Ames, managed livestock, and was also an Animal Caretaker H at Iowa State University Reproductive Physiology Farm in Ames.

On June 12, 1976, he was united in marriage to Susan Romsey at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Story City. The couple made their home in Story City and were blessed with the birth of three children, Sarah, Andy, and Seth. In addition to his interest in agriculture, Craig also enjoyed gardening, music, fishing, horses, playing sports, cooking and learning.

His love for learning built an interest in medicine. In 1992, he graduated from Des Moines University with a degree in podiatric medicine, earning the title of Dr. Craig R. Bohnker. Since then, he has been providing foot care to many nursing homes in eastern and southern Iowa. Craig found it easy to brighten a resident's day with his smile, caring heart, and great sense of humor. Craig cared deeply about his patients and took a genuine interest in their lives.

Above all things, Craig loved helping others and spending time with his family. When a friends needed help or cheering up, Craig was there. He loved people and thought of others before himself. He lived a life in service to others. Craig visited his mother daily. He would bring her fresh fruit and take her on car rides or visits to see others. Craig loved his children dearly. He enjoyed attending their activities, helping them with school projects, talking on the phone with them, giving them advice, teaching them, visiting them, taking them out on dinner dates, and making them smile.

He was preceded in death by his father, Eugene.

He is survived by his daughter, Sarah Bohnker of Ames, his sons, Andrew Bohnker of New York, New York and Seth Bohnker of Cedar Falls; his mother, Lois of Denison; his sister, Marilyn Bohnker of Creston; brothers, Keith and his wife Anna of Morton, Illinois and Kent of Avon, Minnesota; a niece, Ashley Bohnker and two nephews, Douglas and Jeffrey Bohnker, all of Morton, Illinois, several cousins, other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, 2007 at the First United Methodist Church in Denison, Iowa. Pastor Stephen Anenson officiated the service and graveside rites were held at the Charter Oak Cemetery in Charter Oak, Iowa.

Organist Nancy Miles provided the accompaniment for congregational hymns "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee", "Blessed Assurance" and "All Creatures of Our God and King". Honorary pallbearers were Jeanie Goslar, Ardith Sporleder, Tom and Maxine Murphy, David Loy, Sandi McCartney and Randy Fix. Those serving as pallbearers were Andy Bohnker, Keith Bohnker, Doug Bohnker, John Bohnker, Seth Bohnker, Kent Bohnker, Jeff Bohnker and Jeff Watson.

The family invited everyone in attendance to join them in fellowship and lunch at the Charter Oak Community Building catered by Staley's Food Service of Charter Oak. The Huebner Funeral Home in Denison was in charge of arrangements.