Bonnie S. Grabau, 77, of Spring Valley, Minn., died on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at Spring Valley Living.
Bonnie Sue Rathbun was born in Rochester, Minn., to Maurice and Nola (Warren) Rathbun on June 16, 1946, and lived on the family farm that her father grew up on. She went to Bateman country school and started school in Wykoff in 1959 where she graduated in 1964. Bonnie worked at the Malt & Burger for many years, owned and ran the Clothes Pen store for 12 years and was a para for nine years at the school. Bonnie married Boyd Grabau on May 8, 1965, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Spring Valley. They moved to Rochester and then lived in Dresbach for 19 months where Boyd worked for MnDOT. They moved back to Spring Valley in 1969.
Bonnie was active in the church and WELCA, where she was head of the funeral committee for several years, along with other jobs in WELCA. She was also president and an active member of the Chamber of Commerce. Bonnie’s hobbies included making homemade cards and doing puzzles. She loved playing dominoes and card games with Boyd and their friends. Bonnie donated lots of food for different organizations. She enjoyed baking, cooking and keeping her family and friends well fed. Bonnie and her sweet treats will be dearly missed by all those she shared them with.
Bonnie is survived by her husband Boyd Grabau of Spring Valley, Goddaughter MicKenzie Clapp and her two children Madi and Beau, special people Shelly Thorp, Sherry Vergil, Barry Rathbun and Kelly Rathbun, many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews and several great-great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents Maurice and Nola Rathbun, brothers Marlin, Jim, Keith and Steve; sisters Donna, Joanne and Mary; and her niece Randy.
A memorial service for Bonnie will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 12 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Spring Valley, officiated by Pastor Jolene Knudson-Hanse. Burial will follow at Spring Valley Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday, March 11, 2024, from 5-7 p.m. at the church and will continue from 10-11 a.m. on Tuesday.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, the Spring Valley Fire Department, Spring Valley Ambulance, Spring Valley Living, Spring Valley Food Shelf, Spring Valley Historical Society or Seasons Hospice in Rochester, Minn.
Online condolences may be left at Hindtfuneralhomes.com.
Leave a Reply