A Celebration of Life Service to honor the life and legacy of Bonnie Pomerenke, age 94, of Lakefield, formerly of rural Okabena, will be held Saturday, October 25th, at 10:30 AM at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Okabena, Minnesota. Burial will be in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Lakefield, Minnesota.

A visitation for Bonnie will be held on Friday, October 24th from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Our Redeemer Lutheran church. Visitation will continue on Saturday at the Church in Okabena for one hour prior to the service.

Bonnie Alice Pomerenke was born on June 5,1931, in North Hero Township, Redwood County, MN. She was the third of nine children born to Leonard and Minnie (Lohrbach) Olson. She was baptized on July 19,1931, and confirmed on July 1, 1945, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove, MN. Bonnie always took pride that she was raised on the Banks of Plum Creek. She crossed that creek countless times attending District 19 Country School through the eighth grade and graduated from Walnut Grove High School in 1949. Bonnie eagerly shared many precious memories of growing up on the farm with her brothers and sisters.

After high school, Bonnie attended Mankato State Teachers College with her student teaching in Madelia, MN. In the fall of 1951, Bonnie began teaching elementary students in Okabena, MN, living west of the school. She met her future husband, Loren Pomerenke, on a blind date. They married on June 14,1953 and began their life together on a farm south of Okabena. Bonnie continued teaching until the fall of 1956 when they began their family. She enjoyed being a mother and homemaker, and history of any kind, especially genealogy. She had many other interests including: arts and crafts, sewing, needle work, flower gardening, collecting dolls and glassware, and photography. Bonnie kept a camera near to capture memories of family and all of God's creation. She thoroughly enjoyed her children in all stages of life. Faith, family and friends were of utmost importance to her. Bonnie taught Sunday School, VBS, and was active in Ladies Aid at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. She was a member of the West Heron Lake Project Group, Jackson County Historical Society and Lakefield Garden Club. She and Loren were members of the Turkey Trotters Square Dance Club in Worthington for many years. Loren and Bonnie moved from the farm to Lakefield in 1997. They always enjoyed visits from family and especially watching the grandchildren grow. Loren passed away in November of 2008. Bonnie remained in her home until moving to Valley View Assisted Living in Lakefield in January of 2023.

Bonnie entered eternal rest on October 16, 2025, at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD, following a brief illness. She will be missed dearly by loved ones and is now in her heavenly home with Jesus!

Bonnie is survived by her children: Dave (Brenda) of Okabena, Doug of Minneapolis and Joann (Doug) Bergemann of Owatonna; four grandchildren: Jenna (Brad) Davis, Jared Pomerenke, Justin and Miranda Bergemann; two great-grandsons Owen and Ian; sisters-in-law Norma Olson of Walnut Grove, Judy Olson of West Hatfield, MA, Carol Olson of Belfry, MT, Janice Pomerenke and Marles Lange, both of Windom, MN; many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Loren; infant son; her parents Leonard and Minnie; parents-in-law Louie and Elizabeth (Schmidt) Pomerenke; brothers Everett, Robert (Alice), Edmund, Larry, Galen, and Dale; sisters Grace (Roy, Leo) Shattuck and Genevieve (Richard) Minor; brothers-in-law Eldon (Geraldine, Phyllis), Donald (MaryAnn), Delbert, and Kenneth Pomerenke and Robert Lange; and sisters-in-law Lois (Vernon) Behrens and LaVonne (Henry) Pfeil.

Blessed be the memory of Bonnie Pomerenke.