Bonnie was born on April 13, 1941, at the Holy Family Hospital in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. She died at 6:07 PM, Friday, November 5th, 2010, at Prairie Manor Nursing Home, Blooming Prairie, MN, surrounded by her family and friends. She was 69. Her parents were Edwin Wiesman and Beatrice (Jourdain) Wiesman. She had no siblings. Bonnie graduated from Lincoln High School in 1959; one of the top 10 students of a class of over 400, and a member of the National Honor Society. She attended the University of Wisconsin Extension-Manitowoc, Silver Lake College of Manitowoc, Metropolitan State University in St. Paul. She taught Sunday School at First Lutheran Church, Hope, MN, was very active with the Hope Extension Club, was an early member of CONTACT, was the Director of People to People of Owatonna, was a board member of SMIF (Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation), and was a Guardian ad Litem for Steele County. While at People to People, Bonnie wrote the first Steele County Resource Manual, a resource book for people in need of community services. She was a conservator for a number of Owatonna residents. Bonnie was also a member of the Izaak Walton League of America. She was a 'School Marm' for Village of Yesteryear and organized Bicentennial Celebration. Bonnie''s passion in life was her children and grandchildren, and to help those who had lost the ability to help themselves. She was a frequent volunteer in schools where she often presented her Handicap Awareness Program. Sadly, Alzheimer''s disease prevented her from realizing her dream of properly spoiling her grandchildren. Bonnie worked closely with The Mayo Clinic Alzheimer''s Disease Research Facility for the past eight years. She has donated organs to that facility, to further that research. Her hobbies included painting and ceramics, sewing and stitchery, gardening and cooking, and traveling. She was an avid reader. Her idol was Thomas Jefferson. Her favorite color was red. On January 21, 1961, Bonnie married Nels F. Thompson. They had 4 children, the first, Nathan, born in Manitowoc, the second, Eric, born in Racine, Wisconsin, and Dana and Ryan, born in Owatonna. Her fiftieth wedding anniversary would have been Jan. 21st, 2011. After her marriage, she and her family lived in Manitowoc, Milwaukee, and Racine, Wisconsin. In June of 1970, they moved to the farm in Steele County, near the town of Hope, MN. Bonnie is survived by her husband, Nels, four sons Nathan (and Carmen); Eric (and Anita); Dana (and Jenny); and Ryan (and Cindy). She is survived by her grandchildren Jordana and Garret; James and Lauren; Courtney, Madison, and Logan; and Nichele. She is also survived by her Mother-in-law, Ethel Thompson of Franklin, WI, an aunt, Elaine Konecny of Manitowoc, an aunt, Pearl (and Dick) Bauknecht of Two Rivers, WI, and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her father-in law George, and a brother-in-law, Paul. Her catch-phrase was 'I raised four boys and a husband. Don''t mess with me!' Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home on Wednesday, November 10, 2010 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM and one hour prior to the service in the church. Memorial services will be held Thursday, November 11, 2010 at 11:00 AM at First Lutheran Church, Hope with The Reverend Josh Ehrler officiating. Memorials can be directed to the Alzheimer''s Society, Prairie Manor Nursing Home of Blooming Prairie, MN, Sacred Heart Care Center of Austin, MN, the Izaak Walton League, or the donor''s choice. Visitation: 11/10/2010 16:00 11/10/2010 19:00 Service: and one hour prior to the service in the church 11/11/2010 11:00