Byron Donald "Bob" Bonsness • 1927 - 2005

Byron Donald "Bob" Bonsness, 77, 924 28th Ave. SW, Minot and Columbus, ND, died Tuesday, February 22, 2005, in the Mesa Banner Baywood Hospital.

Bob was born on March 29, 1927, in Columbus, ND, to Leroy and Anna Bonsness. He was raised and attended school in rural and town schools at Columbus.

Bob entered the US Army in July 1945, serving for 3 years in occupational services in Europe under General Mark Clark in the Rainbow Division and was honorably discharges. He completed high school while in the Army. He used the GI Bill for pilot training and many people enjoyed airplane rides.

Bob married Joan Brenno on February 3, 1948, in Columbus. He worked at the Bonsness Coal Mine, the Kincaid MDU Power Plant and farmed south of Columbus.

Bob was baptized and confirmed in the Columbus Trinity Lutheran Church where he was a member for many years. More recently he was a member of the Vincent United Methodist Church of Minot. Other memberships included the American Legion, Elks and Moose Clubs.

Bob's passion was his Model A cars. He restored nine models and went on to win several awards. He was a member of the Border Auto Club. He loved antique cars and attended the annual Rollag, MN, threshing show, area steam thresher reunions and parades. He was always happy to show his cars and give rides to anyone that asked.

Bob planned many trips for his family. He loved having everyone together. He was especially devoted to his daughters and their families and was proud of his grandchildren. He taught them all to play cards and that was one of the first things he organized when they were together. He loved to go fishing, to spend time at the farm, and play cards with the neighbors, Wallen and Dorothy Helseth.

Bob's family: wife, Joan of Minot, daughters, Vicky (Rich) Campbell of Minot, ND, and Rebecca "Becky" (Verne) Ulven of Walcott, ND; grandchildren: Kyle Campbell and his fiancé, Grace Lundquist, Duluth, MN, Elizabeth Ulven Anderson and her husband, Jared of Okinawa, Japan, Joni Ulven and her friend, Jeff Burchett of Portland, OR, Nichole "Colee" Campbell of Fargo, ND, and her fiancé, John Grubb of Detroit, MI, and honorary grandson, Jim Cook of Seattle, WA;
sisters, Mona Kvernum Sharon (Roger) Lautenschlager all of Columbus, brothers, Delwin (Lillian) Bonsness of Columbus, and Jerry (Roberta) Bonsness of Gilette, WY, Douglas (Sharon) Bonsness of Minot, and Larry Bonsness of Columbus; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; special nephew, Jimmy Anderson, Gillette, WY; uncle, Wallen Helseth of Columbus; aunt, Murel Ness, Billings, Mt

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, O'Neil, sisters, Karmen Kihle and Virginia Anderson, and his brothers-in-law, Lavern "Butch" Anderson and Dean Kvernum.

Memorial Gathering: Friday, February 25, 2005, from 4 to 7 PM at 855 South 77th Place, Mesa, AZ;

Family Gathering: Monday, February 28, 2005, at 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

Funeral Service: Tuesday, March 1, 2005, at 11:00 a.m. at the Vincent United Methodist Church, Minot, ND, with Pastor Bill Bates officiating;

Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, ND.

Visitation: Monday from 10:00 am to 5 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot, and Tuesday one hour prior to the service at the church.

Memorials are preferred to the Trinity Lutheran Church in Columbus, the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch in Minot, or an organization of the donor's choice.

OFFICIATING: Rev. Bill Bates

SPECIAL MUSIC: Ken and DeVera Bowles, vocalists; Lou Whitmer, organist

VOCAL SELECTIONS: "How Great Thou Art", "Amazing Grace" , "On Eagles Wings"

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN: "O How He Loves You And Me"

PALLBEARERS: Bob's grandchildren

COLOR GUARD: American Legion Post # 26, Minot, ND

Back to Obituaries