Bonnie L. Stemme, age 93, of Richfield, Minnesota, formerly of Pocahontas, passed away on Thursday, April 13, 2023, at the Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Bonnie Lou Stemme was born November 18, 1929, at the farm home near Fonda, Iowa. Her parents were Arthur Renhart Omtvedt and Johanna Lucyanna Johnson Omtvedt. Bonnie attended rural school Primer through eighth grade at Grant No. 9 receiving a diploma May 21, 1943, who allowed her to attend Pocahontas Public High School.  She was graduated from Pocahontas Public High School on May 24, 1947.  Bonnie won many state and national awards through her ten years in 4-H including receiving a college scholarship awarded at the National 4-H Convention in November-December 1947.  Bonnie used this scholarship at Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa.  She earned her two-year teaching degree on May 26, 1950.  While at Buena Vista College, she met Robert James Stemme. They were united in marriage June 20,1951, at the Varina Methodist Church.

Bonnie later attended Yankton College in Yankton, South Dakota, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree on June 1, 1953.  During that time, her first child, Rodney, was born.  She attended graduate school at the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado, earning a Master of Religious Education in on June 9, 1955.  During that time, the next two children, Bruce and Susan joined the family.  She and Robert served several churches in Colorado, South Dakota, and Minnesota.  Many of those years beside raising her family she taught school.  Bonnie and Robert separated in November 1979 and were divorced April 27, 1981.

Bonnie taught school for 31 years in South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa.  Her Iowa positions included Newell, Diagonal, Havelock-Plover, and Pocahontas Area.  She retired from teaching in May 1996.  She also taught preschool in Des Moines and Fort Dodge for 4 years.  In addition to her teaching, Bonnie worked as a church secretary for 11 years and as a Correctional Officer at the Iowa Women's Reformatory in Rockwell City December 1979 through June 1981 and February to August 1982.

Bonnie was a life-long member of the United Methodist Church, joining with her entire family at Varina when she was 6 years old.  She became a member of Hope United Methodist Church of Pocahontas, Iowa, when she moved to Pocahontas in the spring of 1987.  In April 2012, she left her much loved Pocahontas and moved to Minnesota to be closer to her kids and grandkids.  She quickly became a member of the Richfield United Methodist Church.  She lived with Susan for five years before moving Bonnie into Mainstreet Village in April 2017.  She was regularly active in church Bible studies, book groups, playing bingo and loving watching and listening to the Minnesota Twins.

Bonnie contracted COVID a few days before her 93rd birthday.  Although she recovered, her stamina was affected.  She had a good Thanksgiving and Christmas with family.  She became more reliant on Susan for meals and care in December as her stamina suffered.  She was admitted to the hospital January 3 for treatment of a significant infection followed by a time at a transitional care unit before she moved into an Assisted Living Apartment at Mainstreet Village on January 26, 2023.

Bonnie was incredibly happy to be able to return to Mainstreet Village. She underwent a follow up procedure February 1 that was successful.  She recovered well and was released from physical and operational therapies on March 29.  She attended Richfield United Methodist Church on Palm Sunday walking up to receive communion.

Bonnie spent good days out with Susan multiple times.  Bonnie called Susan the evening of April 6 complaining of extreme pain.  She was taken by ambulance to Abbott-Northwestern Hospital where she underwent emergency surgery later that night and early morning.  Although that surgery was successful, complications arose.  On April 9, as the strong and independent woman she was, Bonnie decided to stop further treatment and the doctors began comfort care before she was moved on April 12 to the comfort care/hospice unit where she died peacefully in the early morning of April 13, at the age of 93 years, 4 months and 26 days of age.

Bonnie was a Past Worthy Matron of the Order of Eastern Star in Marshall, Minnesota.  She was a member of Iris Chapter #396 in Pocahontas where she served as Chaplain and Esther.  At the time of her death, she was a member of the Lauren's Chapter.

Bonnie was a member of the Business and Professional Women, the American Association of University Women, and the Federated Women's Club. In Pocahontas she was a member of the Phoenix Club and the Literature Club.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents, one brother: Ted (Arthur Theodore) Omtvedt, and two sisters: Beverly Omtvedt as an infant and Alois Omtvedt Eisenhauer.

Bonnie is survived by her children: Rodney (and Virginia) Stemme of Lakeville, Minnesota, Bruce (and Maureen) Stemme of St. Paul, Minnesota, and Susan Stemme of Richfield, Minnesota; six grandchildren: Ehren Stemme of St. Paul, Minnesota, Ryan (and Angie) Stemme of New Brighton, Minnesota, Heather Ferriere of Rosedale, Minnesota, Austin (and special friend Rachel) Stemme of St. Paul, Minnesota, Jessica (and Doug) Eucken of Lakeville, Minnesota, and Alison (and Kevin) Burshten of Oakdale, Minnesota; 10 great-grandchildren: Miles Ferriere, Harper and Hudson Stemme, Ella and Cora Stemme, Ira Scofield, Nicholas Burshten, Matthew Burshten, and Scott and Archer Eucken; nieces and nephews, and a host of relatives and friends.