The Lord called Bonnie Elaine (Kraling) Casterton home on May 16, 2024. She was born on December 16, 1942, in Lanesboro, Minn. to Harvey and Shirley (Elton) Kraling. Bonnie graduated from Harmony High School in 1960. She married Galen (Sonny) Casterton on August 17, 1963, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (Big Springs), where she continued to be an active member and Sunday School teacher for many years. Bonnie had a full life in Minnesota with raising three sons on a dairy farm while working in a variety of occupations (Telephone office, IGA, HECO, Norsland kitchens, Burger Barn) in which she contributed to the Harmony area community. In the late 1980s the family moved to Arizona where Bonnie continued to be active with family, work, visitors, home projects, horse carriage decorating and road trips with Sonny.
Bonnie enjoyed many creative hobbies including cooking and baking, sewing and scrapbooking. She welcomed everyone into her home with a smile on her lips and delicious smells coming from the kitchen! Guests always felt like family because of her generous heart and comfort foods – she giggled that her secret ingredientwas “an extra pinch of LOVE.”. Bonnie made sure holidays and birthdays included favorite foods and signature dishes like lefse, frosted sugar cookies, creamed tuna, meatballs, potatoes and gravy, chicken and rice, German chocolate cake, chocolate covered cherries, and cheesecake to name a few. Everyone left from her gatherings with full bellies, leftovers, and a smile on their face.
Bonnie was an excellent seamstress and was either working on a mending project or a special keepsake gift. She would spend many hours at various fabric stores picking out “just the right thing” – no sewing challenge was complete until it was perfect!
One of her biggest passions was capturing family memories through photography with her iPad. She was devoted to ensuring, through scrapbooks and photo albums, that precious memories with loved ones would never be forgotten. At graduation, each grandchild was presented with a complete scrapbook detailing their life up to that point. Many of these photos were memories of shenanigans at Grandma’s house!
Bonnie is remembered by her husband Galen, her children Steve (Rosanne), Jeff (Annette) and Robert (Melissa); nine grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren; her siblings Sheree (Jim) Gunderson, Peggy (Steve) Knudsen, Randy (Yvonne) Kraling, Tamie (Alvin) Nerstad and Richard Storlie; and many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins.
Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents, brother Gary Kraling, sister Betty Storlie, sister-in-law Polly Kraling, grandchild Faith and great-grandchild Rylee.
Bonnie loved well and she was well loved. She will be missed by many.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Bonnie’s name to: Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, Ariz. 85014 – www.hov.org.
Mrs Louis Casterson says
Was she related to Clyde casterson and son Louis? I would 0 like to send funds on their behalf of so, Family means everything. Sorry for your loss.
Conrad Morin says
My most sincere condolences to Galen, Steve, Roseanne, Jeff, Robert and the family. I did not know Bonnie as well as I would have liked to, but she lit up the room and made my day better every time I paid a visit to the office and was greeted by her. It was clear that she was light and the light she shared made a difference. Safe home, Bonnie! God bless and keep you!
Cheryl Hanson says
Bonnie was so special! She always had a beautiful smile and a sweet treat for everyone. Many years she left bags of “goodies” on my desk at work, it was hard to not be a bit “plump” if you got the honor of hanging around her on an almost daily basis. She was so loved and is dearly missed. ❤️
Suzanne Blagsvedt Neubauer says
My deepest sympathy to the family. I knew many family members when I worked at the Countryside in Mabel. I have wonderful memories. 🙏🌷❤️
Jodi Schilling says
Bonnie was a sweet feisty lady who I loved to pieces ,heck of a baker,! I always loved our talks they were never were short!Before we hung up she would always don’t cry for just pray for me ! Loved Bonnie to pieces she will be missed!RIP my sweet friend mom will be excited to see you! Heaven will be in for a treat!
Tom and Phyllis Johnson says
Bonnie’s special smile will be missed by all. Condolences to the family.
Ellen Lawson says
You mentioned Bonnies (Giggle) always loved that unique giggle. I only went to school with Bonnie for 7 months but we became good friends in that short time.
Prayers for Galen and family, I’m sure she will be sorrily missed. RIP