Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

John Roger Bondhus

John Bondhus Obituary

Bondhus, John Roger Age 62 of Monticello died 8-20-06. Founder and owner of Bondhus Corp. Survived by wife, Mary Kay; sons Perry, Troy, Jonathan; daughters Tammy Morimoto, Holly Frechette, Beth Bondhus; 4 grandchildren; 11 brothers; and one sister. Preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Jean Bondhus. Visitation Thurs from 4-8PM at ST HENRY CATHOLIC CHURCH OF MONTICELLO. Further visitation one hour prior to the funeral on Fri. Funeral services Fri 10:30AM at ST. HENRY CATHOLIC CHURCH. Interment Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Bondhus Tools For Youth Fund. Peterson-Grimsmo Chapel 763 295-2918

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Pioneer Press on Aug. 23, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for John Bondhus

20 Entries

Steve LaFond

January 19, 2025

John:

It's been nearly 25 years since I worked with/for you. I still remember everything that we encountered from my first interview to work for you until your untimely funeral. You were and remain along with Mary, a great inspiration to me.

Tonia Wagner

September 1, 2006

To Holly and Perry and all the Bondhus family members: I am so sorry for your loss. The untimely death of a father is a heart breaking event and I pray that time will heal your sorrow.

Bob Bock, on behalf of the North American Native Fishes Association

August 27, 2006

Tributes to John from his fellow members of the North American Native Fishes Association follow below:

Jim Graham 08/21/2006 (NANFA listserve)

John founder of NANFA and a life time advocate of Native Fish passed away

Sunday evening. John was a great leader in business and in his efforts in

NANFA laid the foundation that that organization is built upon. He will

be sorely missed.

James Sanchez, 08/21/2006 (NANFA listserve)

Having never actually met the the man, he's the reason why we're all

here. Someone might say that the group might exist in another incarnation by

now..or...maybe not,.. if he hadn't started it. But he's the one who did,

and I personaly am thankful for that. R.I.P. Mr. John Bondhus

Chris Scharpf, 08/21/2006 (NANFA listserve)

I am shocked and saddened by this news. I last corresponded with John

earlier this year, when I told him that one of NANFA's founding members, Bob

Rosen, passed away. John asked for Dr. Rosen's phone number and placed a

call to his wife, Sharon. John said that he and Mrs. Rosen had a nice long

chat reminiscing about the early days of NANFA and collecting in the Jersey

Pine Barrens. It feels strange that NANFA has been around so long that its

founding members are passing away.

Some of us will remember John at the 2001 NANFA Convention in Ohio. "If it

wasn't for John," meeting host Rob Carillio said during a break in the

talks, "we wouldn't be sitting here today." John was given a warm round of

applause with a few cheers mixed in. He was visibly moved by the ovation,

and was no doubt moved to see how large and prestigious and active his

fledgling fish society -- first announced in the August 1972 Tropical Fish

Hobbyist -- had grown. John waved for the talks to continue, and they did.

I feel bad for John's kids. He had at least one grown-up child from his first marriage and two young children from his second marriage. They would be 9 and 12 right now. I remember his daughter at the NANFA convention, running the hallways and sloshing in the creeks. She was born premature, I learned. My wife, Stephanie, remembers John pulling a photo from his wallet, showing how his daughter was barely bigger than a dollar bill when she arrived in this world.

We almost lost John a few years ago. He picked up some rare flesh-eating bacteria in his elbow that wouldn't go away. The doctors kept prescribing antibiotics, but the bacteria persisted. John's wife got fed up with the doctors and drove him to a famous hospital. (Was it the Mayo Clinic? I can't recall.) There the gravity of the situation was recognized and the disease properly diagnosed. John remained in the hospital for weeks, maybe even

months. "She saved my life," John told me.

We had some tough times in NANFA in 1998 and 1999. John counseled me during

several long and late-night phone calls. I can still hear his voice – with its distinct Minnesota accent. It was soothing, paternal.

Harry Knaub, 08/21/2006 (NANFA listserve)

My condolences to John's family and all who knew him. While I didn't actually know him, I'm happy to say that I at least got to meet the man responsible for starting NANFA. And from time to time I still use one of the tools that he was handing out at the convention. In addition to his business accomplishments and his family, he certainly

could feel proud of what he accomplished with NANFA.

Casper Cox, 08/21/2006 (NANFA listserve)

Our founding father has passed on. I wish his family well and am ever thankful to his birthing of nanfa. What a fine legacy he has left us to continue. How proud he must be to see it develop as it has. I was able to meet john at rob c's nanfa ohio gathering. I wish he could have participated in more of our gatherings.

Rob Carilio, 08/21/2006 (NANFA listserve)

I am saddened to hear this while I am away visiting friends in Australia. I have spoken with John several times and met him in person at the 2001 Convention. What I found most admirable and illuminating about him is that while he maintained a prominent business life and company, he never let that devour his understanding and passion about the importance of environments and native fishes in particular - and in particular from that, the lesser known fishes. He was able to genuinely share his interest and passion with ANYONE, no matter who they were or where they came from...he could talk on a genuine level to those from all walks of life, about the one thing he loved and cared for... native fish. Nothing was an act in any way, and I am fortunate to have met him. His positive comments and input after, and along the way when mapping out the '01 convention was an underrated and spoken of inspiration to me. My deep sympathies go out to his family.

Bob Bock, 08/26/2006

I was really sorry to learn about John’s passing. I only met him once, at the NANFA annual meeting in Ohio, in 2000. We collected fish together, and he introduced me to his family, and showed my wife and me the camper he was traveling in. But I came to think of him as a friend long before we ever met in person. In the late 90s, I became active in NANFA politics, and eventually was elected to the board and, later, as its president. I spoke with him frequently in connection with the club’s business. He was always available to take my call. He was one of the wisest, most patient people I’ve ever known. Too much time has passed for me to remember what we even spoke about during those phone conversations. But I’ll always remember that his guidance was very helpful to me, and that whenever I got off the phone with him, the problem I was involved with didn’t seem anywhere near as formidable as it was before I talked with him.

Konrad Schmidt

August 26, 2006

I will sorely miss the long, enjoyable chats I had with John through the years about native fishes. I admired his kindness and soft spoken demeanor. It was a pleasure and an honor knowing him as a dear friend.

Maggie Hartfiel

August 25, 2006

I am so sorry for your loss,My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Jim Struzyk

August 25, 2006

We hope you'll remember that many community members of Spring Valley are thinking of you now with the deepest sympathy. John will be missed.

John Reynolds

August 25, 2006

I was so saddened to hear of John's passing.

I wish he had been able to finish his dream farm and had some time to enjoy it.

Jeanne Lamp

August 25, 2006

John was someone who had multiple talents in many areas: business ability, vision for the future, environment, warm personality -- I could go on. I did not have the privilege of knowing him well, but I am honored to have known him at all.

Jeanne Lamp, Spring Valley area

Chuck - Debbie Amunrud

August 24, 2006

John's visionary talent,patience and drive will be missed. John was a giant with a loving heart. The Community of Spring Valley sends our deepest condolences to John's family.

Deanna Blohm

August 24, 2006

My thoughts and prayers are with the family in your time of need.

Angie Tilus

August 23, 2006

My thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time...

George & Delrose Peters

August 23, 2006

MaryKay & Family,

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow

Teresa D (Sister-in-Law of George Bondhus)

August 23, 2006

To the Bondhus Family - Please accept my sincerest condolences during this time.

Paul Jones

August 23, 2006

Our thoughts and prayers are with the whole Bondhus family during this trying time.

Paul Jones & Family

Indy Alternatives, Inc.

Tom & Mat & Mark Klein

August 23, 2006

John's insights concerning international markets will be sorely missed by all in H.T.I. We will miss John's overall friendliness and positve outlook in business as well as in life.

Our condolences to the Bondhus family.

Lynn Collins

August 23, 2006

To the Family: This is a sorry day for the world. John was a wonderful person to know. We shared concerns and laughs. He will be missed by all.

Zoe Brink

August 23, 2006

My sincere condolences to all of John's family and friends . He was a long time employer and friend to my husband and our family.

Brian Hoff

August 23, 2006

John will be dearly missed by the Spring Valley community.

Dick & Sarah Hardy

August 23, 2006

We will miss John's friendship and his helpful suggestions to the HTI fellowship.

Timothy Eagan

August 23, 2006

To the Family of John Bondhus; The Hand Tool Industry has lost a pioneer who has helped many over the past years. Please accept my sincere condolences.

Timothy S. Eagan, Treasurer

Midwest Tool and Cutlery Company

Showing 1 - 20 of 20 results