Henry Marvin "Doc" Bonnes

Henry Marvin "Doc" Bonnes was born on March 23, 1940 in Shenandoah, Iowa, the son of William Henry and Agnes (Grue) Bonnes. He passed away suddenly on Saturday morning, April 4, 2009 while working in his office. He lived 69 years and 12 days.

Henry grew up on a farm near Shenandoah and attended Morning Star country school until it closed. Then he attended Farragut School until he graduated in 1958. Henry got his BS in Animal Science in 1962 and his DVM from Iowa State University Veterinary College in 1966. Returning to Southwest Iowa, Doc established his practice in Farragut and ran his first country vet call on June 10, 1966.

On September 3, 1961, Doc was united in marriage to Linda Lou Ditmars in Shenandoah, Iowa. This union was blessed with five children; Todd, Tamara, Tara, Tasha and Tiane. He was very proud of his children and kept in close contact with them even as adults. He cherished his grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them most of all.

Doc was very active in his community. He served on the Farragut City Council and spent thirteen years on the Farragut School Board. He was also a member of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association and had been an officer in the Four County Veterinary Association. Doc enjoyed bowling, playing cards and pool, and telling a good story.

Doc was preceded in death by his father; a sister, Ruth Ann Bonnes, a brother, Oran Bonnes, and a granddaughter, Dorthea Heil.

Left to cherish Doc's memory is his wife Linda of Farragut, Iowa; his children, Todd Bonnes and his wife Melissa of Farragut, Iowa, Dr. Tamara Bonnes-Heil and her husband Wade of Loup City, Neb., Tara Doyle and her husband Donnie of Imogene, Iowa, Tasha Yates and her husband Norm of Lincoln, Neb., Tiane Hennings and her husband Dan of Shenandoah, Iowa; his mother, Agnes Bonnes of Shenandoah, Iowa; fourteen grandchildren, Todd Bonnes, Jr. of Farragut, Iowa, Tahrae Richardson and her husband Austin of Auburn, Neb., Tanna Bonnes of Farragut, Iowa, Delanie Heil, Danica Heil and Dillon Heil all of Loup City, Neb., Brooke Doyle, Britney Doyle and Blake Doyle all of Imogene, Iowa, Nathanial Yates and Colby Yates of Lincoln, Neb., Sylvia Hennings and Simon Hennings of Shenandoah, Iowa; a brother, Stanley Bonnes and his wife Janet of Columbia, Mo.; a sister, Mary Brass and her husband Gene of Lincoln, Neb.; along with many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at the Farragut High School Gymnasium with Rev. Claude Westerfield and Rev. Fred Bryson officiating. Burial was in the Farragut Cemetery at Farragut, Iowa.

Visitation with the family present was held on Monday evening, April 6 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Kirsch Funeral Chapel in Shenandoah.

Memorials in lieu of flowers were suggested to the Doc Bonnes Memorial Scholarship Fund. To leave online remembrances or condolences with the family, go to www.kirschfuneral.com. The Kirsch Funeral Chapel of Shenandoah was in charge of arrangements.