Bonita Belle Braund
Bonita Belle Braund, 90, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022 at The Meadows-St. John’s Campus, Albert Lea, Minn. Visitation will be held today (Wednesday), Aug. 31, from 5-7 p.m. at Nasinec Funeral Home and Crematory Wells, Minn., and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. A Memorial service will be held Thursday, Sept. 1, at 10:30 a.m. at United Lutheran Church, Walters, Minn., with Pastor Don Rose officiating. Burial to follow in United Lutheran Cemetery, rural Walters. Nasinec Funeral Home in Wells is entrusted with arrangements.
Bonnie was born Oct. 19, 1931, the daughter of Burdette and Olga Storms in Albert Lea, Minn.
Bonnie was always a hard worker and she loved talking about the days when, during her high school years, she was a waitress at the Maid Rite. She graduated from high school in 1949 and Oct. 30, 1949, she married Vernon Braund and they built a beautiful life together.
Vern was a long-haul truck driver for many years and Bonnie became a pro at keeping things running smoothly at home. Her family was her greatest joy; she loved the time spent with her seven children, 20 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. The family had such great times fishing, making blanket tents over the clothesline, trips to the beach, camping, sledding, and so much mor. Their home had an open-door policy; everyone was always welcome and no one left without a giant hug. Her puppies were always an especially important part of her life—they were family. Her yard was one of her greatest passions; working outside brought her so much joy and contentment.
Bonnie worked at Fleetguard, Lake Mills, for more than 30 years and made lifelong friends who enriched her life. She was a real people person—she loved them and they loved her in return. She lived her faith and was very generous with her time to help others. She loved visiting with everyone, especially when she worked as a greeter at Walmart and so many children would call her “Grandma.” Everyone who knew her loved her spirit, compassion, and enthusiasm for life.
Bonnie was a member of United Lutheran Church, where she was active in Circle and loved rolling bandages and cutting blocks for others to make quilts.
She is survived by son, Zane (Janelle) Braund, Bay City, Wis.; daughters: Renee (Jim) Muller, Algona; Cindy (Steve) Halvorsen, Emmons, Minn.; Dawn (Martin) Kasemir, Germany; and Tracey (Lonnie) Huston, Walters, Minn.; one sister, Jean Weston, St. Cloud, Minn.; sisters-in-law: Diana (Lee) Purrier, Park Rapids, Minn.; Alice Weibel. Poland, Ind.; and Alice Braund, Kiester, Minn.; brothers-in-law: Wayne Ellertson, Charles City; and Roger Oldfather, Kiester, Minn.; grandchildren: Casey (Christina) Muller, Cody (Abha) Muller, Wyatt Muller, Jennifer (Lance) Christiansen, Jill Thursdale, Randy (Amber) Halvorsen, Daniel Halvorsen, Cameron, Danielle, Randy and Stephanie Braund, Lucas Huston, Christopher (Dianna) Braund, Timothy (Krystle) Braund, Joseph (Kelly) Braund, Amanda (Jake) Johnson, Garrett (Harley) Braund; and many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and their families.
Bonnie was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon; her parents, Olga and August Buntrock; in-laws, Chester and Alpha Braund; two sons, Randy and Vern; one granddaughter, Stacy Halvorsen; two grandsons, Blake Muller and Zachary Braund; two brothers, Bill Storms and Ronald Buntrock; sisters-in-law: Marlys Harig, Lavonne Oldfather, and Jean Ellertson; and brothers-in-law, Keith Braund and Robert Harig.
