Don Bonnema

Rock Rapids, IA Don Bonnema, age 73 of Rock Rapids, IA died unexpectedly at his home on Saturday October 10, 2015. Don Bonnema passed away on Saturday, October 10, at his home in Rock Rapids just a few days short of his 74th birthday. Per his request, his body will be cremated with a private family celebration of his life to be held at a later date. Donald George was born to Nelson and Minnie Bonnema at the family home near Steen, Minnesota, on Oct 13, 1941 and named after his paternal grandfather. He attended country school through 8th grade and graduated from Hills High School in 1959. He was trained as a barber at the Sioux City Barber College and worked several years as a barber in Sheldon and LeMars. He served with the United States Army for three years. Don held different jobs over the years including truck driver, painter and tree service. Don was an independent spirit with a unique outlook on the world and on life. He loved reading, the outdoors, fishing in his younger years, music, especially Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash. He was a talented artist and enjoyed expressing himself through his art. He was a very caring person and was the primary caregiver to his parents in their Steen home for a few years until Nelson passed away in December of 1997 and Minnie moved to a nursing home. Don made many friends through the years, but 'Brother Don' will be especially missed by his five siblings, Beth Sakurai from Yokohama, Japan Stan (Gloria) Bonnema from Waconia, MN Ginger (Jim) France from Sioux City, IA Mark (Eva) Bonnema from Seattle, WA Mike (Jodie) Bonnema from Steen, MN. He will also be greatly missed by his Aunt Mildred Keunen from Steen, as he stopped over regularly to see her and she often checked in with him via the phone. It is a great comfort to his family that he knew Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Don was preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law, Akira Sakurai.