Obituary: Julianne Bonner

Julianne Bonner

Julianne Marie (Loorence) Bonner, age 80, died on December 29, 2023, at Golden Acres Manor in Carrington, N.D.

A Celebration of Life service is planned for the summer of 2024. She will be buried next to her parents at the Sawyer Cemetery in Sawyer, N.D.

Julianne was born June 1, 1943 in Tacoma, Wash., to Karmet and Clara (Grothe) Loorence. When she was three years old, they moved to Sawyer, N.D., where she was raised. A bright student, she graduated as the valedictorian of her class from Sawyer Public School in 1961.

She attended Minot State College, graduating in 1965 with a degree in Elementary Education and PE for Elementary Education.

Julianne's teaching career began in Sidney, Mont., and then at Mountain Home, Idaho Air Force Base from 1964-1968. It was in Idaho where she met George Bonner. They married in 1967 and moved to Edmunds, Wash. There she was a substitute teacher from 1968-1970. Their daughter, Tori, was born while they lived in Washington.

The family moved to Minot, N.D., in 1970, where Julianne taught fourth grade at Dakota Elementary. A few years later when they moved to Minneapolis, Minn., she stayed at home after the births of her son, Jon and daughter, Theresa.

After her divorce in 1977, she and the children moved to McLaughlin, S.D., where she taught mostly third grade for the next 28 years.

In McLaughlin, Julianne was active in church choirs, bowling leagues and bridge club. She was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church and served as the church organist. Julianne taught Bible school, Sunday school and belonged to various women's groups at the church.

At school, she was always willing to help by playing the piano for many events. Julianne retired from teaching in McLaughlin in 2005 and moved to Minot, N.D., to be closer to her mother.

While living in Minot, she continued to substitute teach in the Minot and Surrey school districts for several years. She was also involved with the Sons of Norway, serving as the historian, secretary in charge of the newsletter and as president. She enjoyed traveling to many district and international conventions as part of the Sons of Norway.

Julianne was a member of the Bread of Life Lutheran Church in Minot and continued her involvement in various church activities. Many of her summers were spent volunteering at the Scandinavian Heritage Park. Julianne had fun attending and volunteering at the annual Hostfest celebrations.

She was an avid reader. Julianne enjoyed cross stitch, scrapbooking and cardmaking. She had a lifelong love of music. Julianne was active in the Delta Kappa Gamma chapter and enjoyed performing in the Nu Notes singing group.

In late 2020, due to the progression of Parkinson's disease, Julianne moved to Golden Acres Manor in Carrington, N.D.

Julianne is survived by her children, Tori (Monty) Schaefer, rural Carrington, N.D., Jon (Shannon) Bonner, Madison, S.D., and Theresa (David) Held, Bothell, Wash.; grandchildren, Andrew (Kara), Jack and Benjamin Schaefer, Olivia and Rachel Bonner and Maya and Makenna Held and great-granddaughters, Avy and Esly Schaefer.

She was preceded in death by her parents and many aunts and uncles.

Arrangements by Evans Funeral Home, Carrington and New Rockford, N.D.