Lloyd C. Bonnett

LLOYD C. BONNETT was born February 12, 1924 to David and Clara (Baldwin) Bonnett at the Luverne Community Hospital in Luverne, Minnesota. He was raised on the family farm a mile and a half south of Magnolia, Minnesota. He graduated from Magnolia High School in 1940. Following his education he continued to help his dad on the farm and also joined the National Guard. He joined the Army in March of 1945 where he worked as a water supply tech, overseeing the compression gear for scuba divers in the Pacific Theater. He was honorably discharged in December of 1946. He returned home to the family farm to help his father. During this time he met his future wife Alice Blonigen. The couple married on May 3, 1948 at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. They made their home on the family farming operation in Magnolia. Throughout his years on a farm he also ran the road grader for the township. Fellow farmers would often call Lloyd to help get feed to the cattle in bad weather. He enjoyed helping out other farmers and his fun and caring ways made him a friend to many. Lloyd retired from farming in 1997, but continued to reside on the farm. Alice died on June 6, 2003. Lloyd remained on the farm until his move to Parkview Manor Nursing Home in June of 2006. A short time later he moved to the Minnesota Veteran’s Home where he continued to reside until his death on January 6, 2012, at the age of 87 years, 10 months and 25 days.

Lloyd was a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne, the VFW in Luverne and the DAV in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He was a Commander in the American Legion and spent a lot of time calling Bingo there which he enjoyed. He and Alice were also members of the Eagles Club in Luverne. Along with playing bingo he enjoyed heading to Flandreau to the casino. He loved to fish and pheasant hunt. He also enjoyed visiting with friends and family. He and Alice took many trips together, often traveling north to see extended family. Some of his favorite times were when his grandsons would come and stay with him in the summers. Lloyd had a huge heart and was full of fun and energy.

He is survived by his daughter, Joyce Molstad and her husband Steven of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; four grandchildren, Michelle Keefe and her husband Paul of Lakeville, Minnesota, Mary Boyer of Lakeville, Craig Molstad of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Mike Molstad of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; four great-grandchildren; and other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Alice; parents, David and Clara; two brothers, Darrel Bonnett and Thomas Bonnett; sister-in-law, Florence Bonnett; and his nephew, Joe Bonnett.