Bonita "Bonnie" J. Boerboom

Bonita “Bonnie” Boerboom, 83, of North Mankato, passed away on Monday, March 10, 2025, at her home.

Funeral Mass 11:00 a.m., March 22, 2025, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, North Mankato. Visitation 4 - 6 p.m., March 21, 2025, at Northview – North Mankato Mortuary, and one hour before the service at the church. Interment at Mankato’s Calvary Cemetery at a later date.

Bonita was born September 18, 1941, to Raymond A. and Regina L. (Cashman) Goettl in Blooming Prairie, Minnesota. She attended Holy Rosary elementary, graduated from Good Counsel Academy in 1959, and later from St. Catherine University, St. Paul with a degree in nursing. She loved reading and, in her childhood, spent summer days at the North Mankato Library.

Bonnie married Gilbert I. Boerboom on August 8, 1964. They moved to Osage, Iowa, where they welcomed their three children, before returning to Mankato to establish the Minnesota Valley Pet Hospital and later a poultry farm along Highway 14. During this time, Bonnie earned an associate’s degree in accounting and served as the full-time bookkeeper for the pet hospital until Gil’s retirement in 1984, continuing in the role for the farm until her own retirement.

She was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, North Mankato Civic and Commerce Commission, and ISJ Hospital Auxiliary. Bonnie was an avid tennis player, enjoyed playing cards, curling with the Caledonia Curling Club, and was in a women’s book club for over 30 years. In 2002, Bonnie was so fortunate to meet Don Nelson, and they formed a loving partnership.

Bonnie is survived by her partner, Don Nelson; children, Scott (Rosie) Boerboom of Apple Valley, Kevin Boerboom of Duluth, and Pam (Bill) Perrine of Excelsior; eight grandchildren, Reed, Elizabeth, and Ava Boerboom, Allison and Sydney Boerboom, Max (Morgan) Miller, Sarah (Joe) Mendyke, and Brady Haugum; along with many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gilbert; son-in-law, Brad Haugum; and siblings, Jack Goettl, JoAnne Simmer, and Mary Ellen Probst.