Bonnie Bratholt

Bonnie Jean Sampson, daughter of Emil and Verda (Magawa) Sampson, was born April 9, 1935 in Alvwood, MN in Itasca County.  She lived and worked in the Wilton and Bemidji, MN area for many of her younger years, marrying Gene Olson in 1954 and having two daughters, Jodi and Darci.  She later married Harold Nelson in Michigan and had another daughter, Gail.  She lived most of her life in Minnesota, with some time spent in Michigan and Long Island, NY.  She held a number of jobs through the years, including being a switchboard operator for Northwestern Bell Telephone and being the proprietor of the B&M Bar in Trail, MN.  She was married to Vernon Bratholt in 1990, and they lived near Hitterdal.  Bonnie lived with her sister Sherry for awhile near Solway and then moved into Serenity Assisted Living in Dilworth on her birthday in 2009.  She was loved and well cared-for there for nearly 11 years.

Bonnie was a lover of people and was generous to all.  She opened her home to those who were lonely or struggling.  She loved visiting her kids and grandkids and other relatives and friends when she could.  Later when living at Serenity, she enjoyed doing lots of puzzles, playing cards with her buddy Virgil, Bingo, and just sitting outside in the fresh air, usually whistling at the birds.  She will be remembered for her spark and sense of humor, which she never lost.    Bonnie trusted Jesus for her salvation as a young girl, and in her later years had the assurance that He would always take care of her, especially when she was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma and other challenging health problems.  She passed peacefully into heaven on December 26^th at Bethany on 42^nd .

She is survived by her daughters   Jodi (Steve) Harrington of Grandin, ND;  Darci (Don) Purvis of Norcross, GA; and Gail (Gary) Bratholt of Dilworth, MN;  6 grandchildren:  Casey (Jenny) Bratholt and Angie (Matt) Benyon;  Dustin (Melissa) Agnes and Josh (Jacquelyn) Agnes;  Aaron (Nikki) Harrington and Megan (Justin) Fraase;  4 great-grandchildren:  Gunnar and Owen Bratholt and Liam and Oliver Agnes ; her sister Sherry Lien of Solway, MN; her sister-in-law Marlys Sampson of Wilton, MN; and her beloved nieces and cousins.    She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Vernon, and her brother Bob Sampson.

Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m., Friday, January 3, at Serenity Assisted Living, West Campus, in Dilworth.

Special thanks are extended to the staff at Serenity Assisted Living for making such a wonderful home for her and to the compassionate staff at Bethany on 42^nd and Hospice of the RRV nurses for their kindness and care.

Memorials preferred for Serenity Assisted Living or Salem Lutheran Church, Hitterdal, MN.