Private Family Mass of Christian Burial for 88-year old Bernadine “Bonnie” Anthofer of Coon Rapids will be held on Tuesday, September 29, at 1:00 p.m. at the Annunciation Catholic Church in Coon Rapids. Visitation and prayers will be held on Monday, September 28, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Ohde Funeral home in Coon Rapids. Interment will be held at the Annunciation Cemetery in Coon Rapids.
Bernadine “Bonnie” Marie Anthofer was born on March 13, 1932 to Joseph and Katherine (Hoffman) Brincks of Willey, Iowa. Prior to marriage, Bonnie worked in the medical field, eventually serving in the maternity ward and assisting with newborns. Bonnie married the love of her life, Edward Anthofer, at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church (Willey, Iowa) on November 9, 1954 (66 years ago). In 1962, Ed and Bonnie purchased their family farm north of Coon Rapids, where they ran a grain and dairy farm. They also owned and operated Anthofer Construction until Ed retired in 2000. Ed and Bonnie had twelve children. They were members of Annunciation Catholic Church in Coon Rapids.
Bonnie was a stay-at-home mother and worked seasonally at Garst Seed Company in Coon Rapids. Bonnie enjoyed quilting, baking, gardening, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. Walking in on any random afternoon, you could find Bonnie in the kitchen or possibly in front of the television watching Oprah or Dr. Phil. Bonnie cared for every grandchild like they were her only, although she now has 71 grandchildren/great-grandchildren. Ed and Bonnie rarely missed a wedding, graduation, first-communion, confirmation, or any other event. Bonnie hosted every Thanksgiving and Christmas on the family farm. Bonnie enjoyed visiting her mother every week at the nursing home for many years. Bonnie loved to laugh with her family and visitors. She would play cards and usually cheat. Her sense of humor was straight-forward, witty, and contagious. Her laugh could catch the attention of the entire room. Bonnie was a wife, a mother, and a grandmother with every fiber of her being. She made every meal, she answered every call, she calmed every fear, she said every prayer, she held every child, she hugged every visitor, and she was the sturdy foundation of our family.
Ed and Bonnie both moved to Thomas Rest Haven Assisted Living Apartments in Coon Rapids the fall of 2014, later moving to the nursing home as their health required. Bonnie is preceded in death by her husband, Ed, who passed on March 23, 2017 at the age of 88 years. Bonnie moved to St. Anthony Nursing Home in Carroll, Iowa in September of 2017. Bonnie is also preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Katherine and her siblings: Julitta Behrens, Helen Tiefenthaler, Elsie Eischeid, Katherine Broich, and Cletus Brincks; Bonnie was called home to God and her loved ones on September 25, 2020 at St. Anthony Nursing Home in Carroll. She was 88 years, 6 months, and 12 days of age.
Bonnie is survived by her twelve children: Dan Anthofer (Linda), Audubon; Diane Kastner, Denison; Deb Wilkens (Dan), Montour; Denise Fritzen (Stan), Beatrice, NE; Dean Anthofer, Coon Rapids; Donna Carpenter, Shenandoah; Doug Anthofer (Debbie), Brayton; Doris Johnson (James), Carroll; Daryl Anthofer (Michelle), Coon Rapids; Duane Anthofer (Sherri), Jefferson; Doreen Poehling (Chet), Lincoln, NE; Darla Fair (John), Shenandoah. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Amanda Wicker (Darin), Megan VanGundy (Alan), Owen Anthofer, Hannah Parks (Jesse); Kurt Kastner (Angie), Kari Blasey (Chad), Kristen Kastner; Jeremy Wilkens (Brandi), Jackie Ellenbecker (Paul), Corey Wilkens (Laura), Allison Snyder (Eric); Brandon Darby (Jessica), Alycia Fritzen (Derek), Blake Darby; Heather Carpenter-Schmidt, Lindsey Herron (Travis), Adam Carpenter; Travis Anthofer (Kaiti), Sarah McGinnis (Daniel);
