Craig R. Bohnker (1952-2007)

BOHNKER, JOHNSTON, ROMSEY

Posted By: Ames Tribune
Date: 1/9/2008 at 08:51:26

THE AMES TRIBUNE, Ames, Story County, Iowa, Tuesday, January 8, 2008.

Feb. 29, 1952-Nov. 14, 2007

Craig R. Bohnker, 55, died Nov. 14, 2007, at Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Neb. Funeral services were Nov. 17 at the First United Methodist Church in Denison. Pastor Stephen Anenson officiated the service and graveside rites at Charter Oak Cemetery. Organist Nancy Miles provided the accompaniment for congregational hymns, "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee," "Blessed Assurance" and "All Creates 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.

Craig R. Bohnker was born Feb. 29, 1952, in Denison, the son of Eugene and Lois Johnston Bohnker. He 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 College in Iowa Falls and earned a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University in May 1974. Throughout his life, he worked as a laboratory technician in the Animal Science Reproduction Department at ISU, 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 II at the ISU Reproductive Physiology Farm in Ames.

He married Susan Romsey June 12, 1976, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Story City. The couple made their home in Story City and was blessed with the birth of three children, Sarah, Andy and Seth. In addition to his interest in agriculture, he 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 had been providing foot care to many nursing homes in eastern and southern Iowa. He found it easy to brighten a resident's day with his smile, caring heart and great sense of humor. He cared deeply about his patients and took a genuine interest in their lives.

Above all things, he loved helping others and spending time with his family. When a friend needed help or cheering up, he was there. He loved people and thought of others before himself. He lived a life in service to others. He visited his mother daily. He would bring her fresh fruit and take her on car rides or visits to see others. He 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 on dinner dates and making them smile.

He is survived by one daughter, Sarah Bohnker, of Ames; two sons, Andrew Bohnker, of New York, and Seth Bohnker, of Cedar Falls; his mother, Lois, of Denison; one sister, Marilyn Bohnker, of Creston; his two brothers, Keith and his wife, Anna, of Morton, Ill., and Kent of Avon, Minn.; his niece, Ashley Bohnker, and two nephews, Douglas and Jeffrey Bohnker, all of Morton, Ill.; and several cousins, other relatives and many friends. His father, Eugene, preceded him in death.

Huebner Funeral Home in Denison was in charge of arrangements.

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