Bonita “Bonnie” Zeller, age 87, of Bismarck, ND, formerly of Carson, ND, passed away on Sunday, January 14, 2024 at the Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center in Bismarck, ND.
Service of Remembrance will be Saturday, January 20, 2024 at 10;30 a.m. MT at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Elgin, ND. Rev. Nathan Laska will officiate and following a lunch and fellowship at the church, burial will be at the Carson Community Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the Funeral at the Church on Saturday morning.
Bonita “Bonnie” Andersen was born February 6, 1936 to Leslie R. Andersen and Mabelle (Rogers) Andersen in the Leith Telephone Office Building on Main Street where they lived. Mabelle was a telephone operator. The day she was born was a record cold below zero day in ND. Bonnie would say that record still stands! The story goes that the Dr who delivered her did not turn off his car due to the frigid weather.
Bonnie attended school in Leith for most of her years, except for a time during WWII when her father was serving, then Mabelle took the children to Laurel, MT where they went to school. Bonnie said that was a hard time for learning. During the summer before her senior year, Bonnie, her sister Maizie, friends Abby Bentz and Lillian Flitch stayed in a boarding house about 7 blocks away from St Alexious Hospital where they all worked as nurse’s aides. Bonnie remembered working with Sister Mary and for a priest. She used special cups and served them tea, as well as washed the dishes. At the hospital they gave back rubs to patients. She needed two white uniforms for this job, which her grama Nancy Andersen so kindly paid for. Bonnie and Abbie were able to make enough money that summer to pay for their own High School Letter jackets!
She graduated from Leith High School in 1954. That summer she was one of ten “beauties” vying for Miss Grant County, representing Leith. Bonnie took some classes at Dickinson Teacher’s College. She taught country school at the Elgin German School district and Cowan School for a short time. Later after raising her family, in 1980-1982 she was a Basic Skills teacher aide at the Carson Elementary School.
Don Zeller and Bonnie knew each other all of their lives. They went to the same Sunday School and High School. They shared mutual relatives in Marjorie Andersen and Julius Zeller. The families often celebrated together. They were married on November 23, 1955 by Pastor Gerhardt Cares at the Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church Parsonage. Bonnie and Don were baptismal sponsors for Benita Razey and her son Zachary Kilbane and Lori Arndt. They held a special spot in their hearts.
Don and Bonnie purchased farmland from his grandfather Gottlieb Zeller and his parents, and lived on the homestead south of Leith. They moved into the “Big” House after Don’s parents moved to Bismarck in 1958. They raised cattle, hogs, had horses and other pets; as well as field crops. Bonnie helped with chores and feeding any hired help and the family.
To this union were born four children, Wanda, Clayton, Cory, and Troy. After raising their family and farming for 25 years they built a new home and moved to Carson in 1980. The farmland has been leased out since the late 1970’s. Bonnie has been the landlord since 2008 when Don passed away. Her family would like to thank the hardworking Farmers who lease the land, most recently Ryan Muggli and family; and previously for over 30 years Terry Haberstroh and family.
Bonnie passed away on Sunday afternoon, January 14, 2024 at Missouri Slope Lutheran Nursing Home in Bismarck, ND. She was a member and confirmand of St. Lukes Ev. Lutheran Church in Leith; and then a member most of her life at Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church in Carson. She was Baptized on April 12, 1936 at the First Presbyterian Church of Leith by Pastor Samuel Allen.
She spent many hours doing volunteer work for the Leith Busy Bees 4-H club; Sunday School teacher; the Carson Ambulance crew in the 1970-80’s; Carson Women’s Club; Coordinator for numerous United Blood Service blood drives in Carson, as well as donating blood. She was a member/ Secretary of the Auxiliary National Rural Letter Carrier’s; Carson Senior Meals program Board Member and worker; officer and member of the Grant County Historical Society; For over 20 years she was a volunteer for the Soil Conservation Office.
Bonnie had an extensive collection of hand bells, recipe books, clipped recipes and petrified rocks. She was drawn to thrift stores, rummage sales, Casino’s and any sort of a Bargain!
She loved being a grama and great-grama. She was an avid knitter and crocheter, and made afghan’s for many family members. Her Yarn supply was phenomenal, she has donated much of it to churches and groups that do more knitting. She also enjoyed going hunting and making deer sausage. She loved fishing with grandkids. The family enjoyed many camping trips, seeing national parks and going “Out West” to see her Andersen families. Bonnie was known for taking lots of photos and losing or breaking several cameras. She did win the 2002 Heritage Family History Photo Contest in Moorhead, MN. For many years she went to Sing Along at the Elgin Care Center. While she was in Carson she became a cat lover, and feeding stray cats kept her busy. She liked growing a small garden and having flowers. She enjoyed driving to Elgin for Sunday buffet at the café. To occupy her time recently she watched Me TV, Wheel of Fortune, puzzles and coloring books.
Keeping her in their fondest memories are her children and their spouses: Wanda (John) Peterson, Clayton (Renee) Zeller, Cory (Belinda) Zeller, Troy (Susan) Zeller. Grandchildren: Joshua Peterson, Matthew Peterson, Harlee Ann Zeller (Josh Forristall), Chloe Zeller (Dayton Seborg), Cody Hanson and Jed (Aaron) Hanson. Great Grandkids: Avery Zeller, Bryce, Skylin and Treyton Hanson; Everett, Wade and Myles Hanson. Two Brothers: Ross (Carol) Andersen, Lee (Elaine) Andersen. One sister, Maizie Razey; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Donald Zeller, two brothers: Lyle Andersen and Rodney Andersen; brother-in-law Bernard Razey.
The family would like to recognize and thank Danette Pengilly, NP at St. Alexious Cardiology clinic, for her exceptional, compassionate care of Bonnie over many years. Several times she went above and beyond when Bonnie needed a pacemaker or other care.
Rather than flowers/ plants, if you desire, a memorial donation is suggested to her church: Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church c/o Verland Schock 101 Idaho St., #4, Carson ND 58529 or a charity of your choice.
Condolences to the Zeller families can be sent through our website at www.evansonjensenfuneralhome.com
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