Milton Bonnema

Steen, MN Milton Elroy Bonnema, age 94 of Steen, MN died Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at the Tuff Memorial Home in Hills, MN. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM Monday, September 28th at the Reformed Church in Steen, MN, with Rev. Dan Kuik officiating. Burial will follow at East Side Cemetery in Steen. Visitation will be Sunday, September 27th from 2:00 to 8:00 PM with the family present from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home of Hills, MN. Milton Elroy Bonnema was born June 1, 1915 in Sioux Center, Iowa, the son of George and Dena (Kleinwolterink) Bonnema. As a young child, he and his family moved to a farm near Steen, MN where he attended country school and helped with the family farm. As a young man Milton worked as a hired hand for various farmers in the area. Milton was united in marriage on June 1, 1939 to Cynthia Rozeboom at the Steen Reformed Church in Steen, MN. Milton and Cynthia started out renting several farms near Steen and Ash Creek, MN, until they purchased a farm east of Steen, where they farmed until their retirement in 1980. They built a home in Steen and moved from the farm into town. After retirement, Milton remained active with farming helping his son, Lowell. On November 22, 1998 Miltons wife, Cynthia, died after 59 years of marriage. Milton continued helping Lowell with the day to day operation of the farm until age 88. On June 5, 2009, Milton entered the Tuff Memorial Home in Hills, MN where he remained until his death this past Wednesday, September 23, 2009, at the age of 94. Milton was a member of the Steen Reformed Church where he was active in Mens Chorus and served as an Elder, a Sunday School Teacher and attended Mens Brotherhood. He enjoyed annual vacations with his family and playing Rook with his friends. He especially loved to sing and study the Bible. His faith in Christ and his love for his family were the two things most dear to his heart. He will be remembered as a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. Milton is survived by two children, Carla (James) Coon of Lowell, MI and Lowell (Glenda) Bonnema of Steen, MN; a son-in-law, Rev. LeRoy (Judith) Suess of New Baltimore, NY; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a brother, Arnold Bonnema of Steen, MN; a sister-in-law, Minnie Bonnema of Hills, MN; and many nieces, nephews and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Dena Bonnema; his wife, Cynthia Bonnema; a daughter, Gerloa Suess; a sister, Kathleen Bonnema; three brothers, John, Peter and Nelson Bonnema; and a granddaughter, Jessica Bonnema.