Bonnie Lou Eugenia Bengtson

Bonnie Lou Eugenia Swanson was born on March 5, 1924 to Fritz and Ethel (Lindstrom) Swanson in Rock Creek Township. She attended West Rock District 12 Schools through the 8th grade and graduated from Pine City High School in 1941. After graduation, she worked at Farwell Ozman Kirk (FOK) and Company in St. Paul.In July of 1943, Bonnie married Harold Bengtson while he was home on furlough. They returned to Texas (Fort Hood) and Oklahoma (Fort Gruber) following the wedding. When Harold’s orders no longer allowed Bonnie to be with him, she returned home to Rock Creek. A daughter Kathy, was born in May of 1944 and Harold returned home from the service in August of 1945. Together, they bought part of Bonnie’s uncle’s farm, where they farmed for the next several decades. Sons Duane, Jerry and Don were born in 1946, 1951 and 1953 respectively.For 38 years, Bonnie worked at the Rush City Hospital as a nurse’s aide and in central supply. She loved living on the farm, cooking and caring for her family and any knitting, crocheting or craft activity. At age 75, Bonnie learned to do hardanger, completing literally hundreds of pieces for family and friends. Bonnie enjoyed word finds, Hershey bars and 9:00 coffee with her family. Bonnie passed away at Lakeside Medical Center in Pine City on Friday, November 18, 2016 at the age of 92. Bonnie was one of the oldest, if not the oldest resident of the West Rock community. Bonnie is survived by her children: Kathy Engel of Rock Creek, Duane (Vicki) Bengtson of Harris, Jerry (Lois) Bengtson of Rock Creek and Donald (Cheryl) Bengtson of Chisago City; 11 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; brothers Phil Swanson of Pine City, Rod (Carole) Swanson, Chuck (Carol) Swanson; sister Lois Ellsworth all of Rush City; many other relatives and friends.Bonnie is preceded in death by her parents Fritz and Ethel Swanson; husband Harold Bengtson; infant brother Rodney, brothers Willard, Harlan, Lowell and Darrell Swanson; and son-in-law Pete Engel.Reid Zimmerman will officiate funeral services for Bonnie: 2 PM; Sunday, (11/27/16) at the Olson Funeral Chapel in Rush City. A time of visitation and reviewal is planned for one hour prior to the service at the chapel. Casket bearers will include Brian Bengtson, Daniel Bengtson, Jeff Bengtson, Jim Engel, Brett Bengtson, Garrett Bengtson, Hunter Jongeward and Dylan Engel with the interment in the Johnson Memorial Cemetery at Rock Creek.Funeral arrangements for Bonnie Bengtson of West Rock Creek are entrusted to the Funeral and Cremation Service of Rush City ~ Olson Chapel. www.funeralandcremationservice.com