Donald LeRoy Bonner, the oldest child of Virgil Lee and Helen Arlene (Saner) Bonner was born January 16, 1953 in Ottumwa, Iowa. He died after a short illness on Friday, November 3, 2023 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 70 years. Funeral services were held on Monday, November 6, 2023, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Estherville with burial at St. Jacob’s Catholic Cemetery in Graettinger.
Don attended Franklin Elementary and Junior High School then graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1971. He played baseball throughout his youth and high school in city leagues. While in high school he excelled in three sports: wrestling, football, and track. He placed third at the state wrestling tournament his senior year. Don played offensive tackle and threw shot put setting the school record.
Don’s hard work and dedication earned him full scholarships to Drake University. He played football and wrestled for the Bulldogs from 1971-1975 and was a two-time NCAA Division I qualifier. Highlights included wrestling Chris Taylor (member of 1972 Summer Olympic Team) not once but four times! He obtained his bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education. Following his graduation from college, he moved to Estherville where his family had relocated. Although finding a teaching job did not work out, he began working at Armstrong Rim and Wheel in Armstrong and Estherville. Don had a great career and retired from GKN in 2017 after 41 years.
On June 28, 1980, he was united in marriage to Tamela Kulow at Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church in Estherville. Sports played a major role throughout Don’s life, playing slow pitch softball and adult volleyball with Tammy as young adults. He was the biggest fan of his sons and nephews, traveling near and far to support them in their wrestling and football endeavors. Don was an avid hunter and fisherman, sharing his passion with his family members. When there was no snow on the ground, Don could be found on the golf course, teaching his children and grandchildren the game of golf. Family was his entire life, although he was quiet in nature, he was always there to support them.
Left to cherish Don’s memory are his wife, Tammy of Estherville; his children, Barry (Shanette) Bonner; Jeremy (Jodi) Bonner and Jessica Bonner-Carlson all of Estherville; grandchildren: Nydia Bonner, Quintin Marquez, Cody Davis, Alexis Davis, Shelby Davis, Natalee Rezac, and Jackson Carlson. He is also survived by his brothers, Ralph Bonner of Forest City and Darrell Bonner of Pequot Lakes, Minnesota; sisters in law Shelly (Roger) Schmitt, Jackie (Darryl) Anderson, Julie Bonner, Kathy (Rod) Foster, and brothers in law Steve Kulow and Tim (Joy) Kulow, and his many beloved nephews and nieces.
He has been preceded in death by his parents, brother, Richard Bonner; sister, Joyce Bonner; and father and mother-in-law, Elroy and Genny Kulow, and brother-in-law Jim Thoreson.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.henryolsonfuneral.com.
