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 Bonnie L. Kjerstad
HILL CITY | Bonnie L. Kjerstad, 63, passed away on Friday, July 13, 2012 at the Rapid City Regional Auxiliary Hospice House.
Bonnie was born on August 19, 1948, in Philip to Arnold and Minnie (Geigle) Johnson. She grew up in Rapid City and graduated from Central High School in 1966. While attending college, Bonnie married Dale Kjerstad on December 22, 1968. She graduated from Black Hills State College in 1970 with a degree in Elementary Education.
Bonnie taught at Wilson and Jefferson in Rapid City from 1970 to 1976. After taking six years off to begin raising her three sons, Bonnie returned to teaching at Robbinsdale Elementary in 1984 where she continued teaching until this past December. She often remarked that she was doing exactly what she wanted where she wanted.
Co-workers and students will always remember Bonnie as an outstanding teacher and friend. Although she was one of the most gifted of teachers, Bonnie was a very humble person. She never sought to be in the limelight, so it was actually a challenge for her to accept being voted as Robbinsdale's Teacher of the Year in 1997.
Bonnie will be remembered for her gentle, caring way. She was not only the loving mom to her own three boys; she was a "second mom" (teacher) to hundreds of children throughout her 35 years of teaching elementary school. Just as a mother would do, Bonnie loved and nurtured her students, instilling in each child not only the importance of learning, but the value of treating others with respect. She led by example.
Bonnie was a mom who read to her children. Jamie, Jason, and Jeff have fond memories of being read to by their mom. Bonnie's love of reading was contagious; she gave her students the gift of going anywhere they wished through a book. Even after reading to her students every day, Bonnie would often go home to her favorite sitting room and read in the evening.
Grandchildren had a very special place in Bonnie's heart. She especially enjoyed her time in the kitchen with her dear little granddaughter, Kylie. Whether it was baking cookies, peeling potatoes, or Kylie just watching her grandma prepare a meal, love filled the room. With Grandma and Grandpa living in the Hills, Kylie also enjoyed every minute of time she, Bonnie and Dale spent outside, whether it was time at the local parks or catching butterflies with her special net. After raising three boys, having a little girl around was a special blessing.
Bonnie is survived by her husband, Dale Kjerstad, Hill City, three sons, Jamie Raye Kjerstad, Jason Dale Kjestad, and Jeffrey Allen (Jessica) Kjerstad, all of Rapid City; three grandchildren, Kylie, Alex, and Ambrossa; her father, Arnold Johnson, Philip; one brother, Jim ( Jean ) Johnson, Quinn; three nieces, Jana (Craig) Bielmaier, Wall, Jackie (Thor) Roseth, Philip, and Jennifer Johnson, Rapid City; and great nieces and nephews, Ryan, Jocelyn, and Kinsey Bielmaier, and Royce Roseth.
Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 17, at Kirk Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 18, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Rapid City with Pastor Dwight Stensgaard officiating. Interment will follow at Hill City Cemetery. A memorial has been established.
An online guestbook is available at www.kirkfuneralhome.com
Published in Rapid City Journal on July 16, 2012
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