Bonnie B. Gerdes, age 76 of Nelson, died Sunday, November 26, 2017 at the Pepin Health and Rehab Center in Pepin with her family by her side.

Bonnie was born on September 29, 1941 in Neillsville, WI. She was the daughter of Robert and Jeanne (Goodspeed) O’Brien. After high school Bonnie attended Cosmetology School in Minneapolis, MN. While there, Bonnie met David Gerdes. They married on November 8, 1963. Together they had two daughters. Bonnie and David have lived in Nelson since the late 1980’s. She will be remembered for her work with David Gerdes Ministries and God’s Family Restoration Center in Red Wing, MN, Texas and Mexico. Bonnie was also known as the “Cookie Lady” during the Flood Runs in Nelson.

Bonnie was an artist and sold many of her paintings, she composed many songs and ministered as vocalist and pianist.

Bonnie is survived by her husband of 54 years; David, two daughters; Lona Bea (Chuck) Thomas of Baltimore, MD and LeNae Mae (Chris) Markham of Lake City, MN, five grandchildren; Tyler, Caleb, Carrianna, Bronson and Carli, six great grandchildren, two brothers; Ron (Leslie) O’Brien and Bobby O’Brien, three sisters; Patricia (John) Mickelsen, Colleen (Dan) Tolva and Carol (Lance) Becker, sister-in-law; Linda Jerpbak, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, mother and father-in-law; Leona and Walter Gerdes, one sister-in-law; Lola Widmyer and Uncle and Aunt; Clair and Gen Marshall.

Funeral Services will be 2:00 PM Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at the Rhiel Funeral Home in Durand. Burial will be in the Maiden Rock Cemetery in Maiden Rock. Visitation will be from 1:00 PM until the time of services at the funeral home on Wednesday.

Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Durand, is serving the family.

Condolences

1. Renee Moseman December 7, 2017, at 7:54am

   I've been praying for your family, David. It doesn't matter if you remember me, but I really appreciated your Bonnie Bea...such a lovely, creative, woman of God! I met her in Red Wing when I lived there in the early teens of Y2K. The MN Prayer Network team came to your event in Nelson one time...wonderful hostess, you both were :0) Loved her encouraging letters...thank you Bonnie for your grace & insight provided to many...what a blessing!
   I'm sorry for your loss and may the Lord comfort you and hold you during this time until you meet her again in Heaven! Peace be with you, Renee

2. Buddy lehnartz December 4, 2017, at 10:57pm

   I have he pleasure knowing Bonnie and her husband David Bonnie was a wounderful ladie no matter what she was doing she allways had time for me or if I just needed some one to talk to she would invite me in and we would sit down and talk we shared so many laughs and tears over the years now matter all the time I missed up as a child she would allways have a kind would for me and pray for me she never gave up on me Bonnie and her husband David were allways there for my family even when my mother and father passed away they were right there to ask if we needed any thing for that I am so great full for that just want to give my condolences to her husband David and there family so sorry for your loss and my prayers are with you at such a hard time but I know Bonnie she would want ever one to smile and be happy for here and sing a song with her we Bonnie I will allways have a place in my heart for you and never forget you as long I’ve alive may you Rest In Peace and be painting beautiful pictures and singing away up in heaven you be missed bye so many That new you know you are home

3. Patricia Varra November 30, 2017, at 11:08am

   Bonnie was a beautiful light God gave us she was such a wonderful friend to my mother who will deeply miss her, Bonnie was a pray warrior praise God for her boldness and her obedience I will deeply miss being able to have a pray warrior like her to pray with. God bless her family and praying for God's strength. Praise God we have a promise from God we will see our loved ones again in Glory!

4. Dawn Rieck November 30, 2017, at 10:24am

   R.I.P Bonnie. You will be truly missed by many!

5. Sara rieck November 30, 2017, at 12:40am

   U will be sadly missed

6. Chaachi November 28, 2017, at 1:21pm

   We are so sorry about your Mom! I just found out she had been ill a long time too.

7. Larry & Suzanne Makeeff November 28, 2017, at 10:18am

   Dave, we have truly valued the friendship that you and Bonnie have shared with us so many years. Sorry to hear of your loss, yet knowing her reward is great, gives us great joy. Your ministery has touched so many lives all these years.

8. Lisa Holland November 28, 2017, at 9:35am

   The Holland family send our condolences to you, Dave, Lona, LeNae, and family. Bonnie had quite a way with words. I enjoyed her regular letters, but mostly the few we shared between the two of us since Dad passed. It was a joy to share and chat with her. She now has her reward for all the love and joy she gave to everyone else.

   May God watch over and keep you all in His hands.

9. Jerry and Connie Taylor November 28, 2017, at 9:34am

   Bonnie, will miss your prayers, your hugs, your smile and will always remember all the love you have shown us over the years. Connie and Jerry.

10. Jeff hayden November 27, 2017, at 10:00pm

    We have gained a great angel to watch over all of us that knew her. Her smile, her laugh, the hugs she gave, will be missed. She was like a second mother to me. She was always there to lend a shoulder to lean on or if you had a question she may have had the answer or knew a way to get the answer you were looking for. You will be dearly missed Bonnie bea.

11. Julie Morrison November 27, 2017, at 8:12pm

    Blessing to the Gerdes family and loved ones,

    Michael and Julie Morrison want to extend our condolences to your family and loved ones. She will be missed so much. I thank God for blessing us with her letters

    May you find peace and comfort from Heavenly Father during this time.

    In His Embrace,
    Julie

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