Bernice "Bonnie" Vendel

Bonnie R. Vendel, age 97, passed away on January 29, 2024, at Bethany on the Lake.  

Bonnie was born on July 26, 1926, on a farm near Garfield, Minnesota to Engvald and Agnes Helgeson.  On June 16, 1946, she married Robert Vendel and together raised four children: Barbara, Richard, Paul and Mary Jane.  Bonnie worked as the church secretary at First Lutheran Church and later in life she loved her job as a foster grandparent.

Bonnie loved to have fun.  Her favorite things to do were to play cards and games.  She was always organizing a card game for her friends and family.   Bonnie especially loved spending time with her ten grandchildren.  She was energetic and always ready for fun.  Family meant everything to her.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Robert, brothers: Harvey, Adrian and Henry; sister, Eleanora.  

She is survived by children: Barbara (Rick) Floding of Detroit Lakes, MN, Richard of Alexandria, Paul (Devona) of Alexandria, Mary (Lynn) Ackerman of Alexandria; ten grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren, one great great grandchild, sister, Evangeline “Vanie” Kuehl, sister-in-law, Alice Welman; many nieces and nephews.  

Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 4, 2024, 1:00 – 3:00 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home.  Visitation will continue on Monday, February 5, 2024, 10:00 – 11:00 AM at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria with a Funeral Service at 11:00 AM at the church.  Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery.