Bonnie Risius, age 72, passed away March 3 in Tucson, AZ. Funeral Services will be Saturday, March 13, 2021 at Bricelyn Lutheran Church in Bricelyn, MN at 11:00 AM, with Pastor Judy Wozniak officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in Bricelyn Lutheran Cemetery, Seely Twp., Faribault Co., MN. The services will also be streamed on Good Hope Parish Facebook page (starting at 11:00 AM) for those who wish to stay safe at home.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to your favorite Bricelyn charity. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells is entrusted with arrangements.
Bonnie Kay was born June 11, 1948 in Faribault, MN, the first born to Harlan and Joyce (Dalbotten) Rosvold. She spent her first years in Kenyon, MN and the family moved to Mendota Heights where Bonnie graduated from Henry Sibley High School in West St. Paul. Bonnie attended Augsburg College, receiving degrees in Psychology and Sociology. She met her lifelong friends, The Row House Girls. Those girls also introduced her to John Risius. They were married June 27, 1970 at St. Stephens in West St. Paul. John was a Naval pilot, so the couple spent their first years traveling the world. Bonnie and other naval wives backpacked across Europe, meeting their husbands when they came back to port. Back in the U.S., Bonnie worked as a social worker and the couple became foster parents. While stationed in Virginia Beach, their first child Betsy was born. The couple decided to settle back in MN, and bought a small farm at John’s hometown, Bricelyn, MN.
On the farm, the couple welcomed sons David and Adam. Bonnie kept the kids busy with 4H projects and school activities and worked as a child protection worker with Faribault County Human Services. After graduating, David joined the Army and Adam became an airline pilot, so she and John traveled around the world visiting their kids. She also enjoyed golfing, casino trips with her mom and sisters and spending time with her parents at their lake home in Wisconsin.
After retirement, Bonnie traveled, traveled and did a little traveling. She was always up for an adventure. The list of travels is too long to list. Just know there wasn’t a corner of the world she didn’t explore and she loved making memories with her friends and family. The British Virgin Islands was a special vacation spot for her and John. It was impossible to keep track of Bonnie.
Bonnie had a winter home in Green Valley, AZ and loved having coffee on her patio. Her kids had extra bedrooms and living spaces for her so she could spend some extra time with the grandkids. She bought a tent and enjoyed camping with friends and grandkids. When she was at home, she enjoyed tending to her landscaping and flowers and birdwatching off her back deck.
Bonnie is survived by her parents, Harlan and Joyce Rosvold; children Betsy (Brian) Jensen, David (Janiene) Risius and Adam (Kristin) Risius; grandchildren Conner, Holly and Carrie Jensen, Liam and Boden Risius, and John and Hannah Risius; siblings Dawn Rosvold, Greg (Carol) Rosvold, Vickie Hart, Todd (Sue) Rosvold, Steve (Pat) Rosvold; sister-in-laws Pam (Donnie) Trent, Dianne (Bob) Coughlin and Jeanne (Dwaine) Bruns, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband John, parent-in-laws Evelyn and Harry Risius and sister-in-law Jan Rosvold.
Bonnie was a great lady. I had the privilege to see her amazing nativity collection one Christmas. Prayers to her family and friends.
So sorry for your loss. I am on the road but I am still thinking about you
Our thoughts and prayers are with Bonnie’s family🙏 Larry and Edith Langsev
My deepest condolences.
Bonnie was one of the best social workers Faribault County Human Services ever had. I enjoyed working with her many years. I’m sure she is looking after more kids in Heaven. She was a strong advocate for what ever cause had her attention. Rest in peace my friend.
Our deepest sympathy to the entire Risius family! May your memories bring you comfort & peace!
My deepest sympathies to everyone. Bonnie was a special person and will be missed by all who knew her. Cherish the many memories that you have!
Condolences to you and family.. She was always smiling..,
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Bonnie was a wonderful lady.
Our deepest sympathy to the entire Risius family. Cherish all your wonderful memories! Prayers for God’s comfort.
I so admired Bonnie even tho I didn’t know her that well but enjoyed visiting with her at card club once in a while and at Riverside Golf Course. God’s blessings to all of you❤️❤️🙏🏼
My sincere condolences to the Risius family
My condolences to the entire Risius family.
Bonnie and I traveled Europe together for three solid months while following our Navy pilot husbands around the Mediterranean. We rode the rails, kept our belongings in backpacks, stayed in youth hostels and joked that we had never spent such a solid block of time with anyone, including our husbands! In spite of that, we remained good friends and visited each other in our various homes while in the Navy and after. Our last visit was only a few years ago when we enjoyed a trip to Door County together. We never made that return trip to Europe that we had planned, but our good times and wonderful memories remain some of the highlights of my life. Deepest condolences to family members, especially her parents, who I never had the chance to meet, but heard so much about that I feel I know them. Rest in peace dear friend. You were truly one of a kind, a brave and true woman who was always good for a lively debate, but truly knew the value of long friendships.
Bonnie was my first supervisor in child protection and became a dear friend. She taught me so much about the field and being a good social worker and just life in general. We also had many, many laughs along the way. I’m so very sorry to hear of this world traveler going to the one place she hadn’t yet explored. The thought of her being with John again and laughing with Cherry Davis again brings some peace. Thinking of her kids and grandkids and parents that she loved so very much!!
I haven’t seen Bonnie in years but drove by the house when I visited Bricelyn a few months ago and it stirred up good memories of her and John. I know she and my mom Janel had a connection and did things together years ago. When Janel passed away in December our family received a deeply touching card from Bonnie which meant a lot to us. My condolences to your family.
So sorry for your loss. Bonnie was an incredible person with so much life to share! She had an endless gleam in her eyes! Sending prayers to the family for strength and peace! Spread those wings Bonnie, enjoy meeting up with John!
This makes me so sad, it wasn’t a that long ago that I ran into Bonnie at a local gas station. She told me how much she was enjoying her retirement and spending time with friends and loved ones. I worked with Bonnie and had such respect for her. She was definitely a go-getter and took care of many children in Faribault Co. May the happy memories you have of her in your hearts, help you through this difficult time.
Thoughts and prayers with the entire Risius family. Bonnie was such a great person to be around, always caring for family, friends and the community.
Paul and I wish to convey our condolences to the Rosvold family and, of course, Bonnie’s Risius family as well. Our son, Kent, was the
ring bearer at Bonnie’s wedding. We have many fond memories of the Rosvold family. Peace be with each one who mourn’s this loss.
We send our love and are praying for the Risius family and the whole Rosvold family as well, as you mourn the loss of Bonnie. May you seek the comfort that only our loving Heavenly Father can provide at times such as this.
Greg and I have the Rosvold family and the Risius family in our thoughts and prayers. Bonnie was such a beautiful woman with a smile that would light up a room!!! May Gods’ loving arms hold you close as you cherish the memories and blessings of having had Bonnie in your lives.
We send our love and condolences to both the entire Rosvold family and Risius family during this difficult time. We pray that God will give you peace and comfort as you cherish the beautiful memories of Bonnies’ life.
My sincere condolences to Bonnie’s family. Bonnie always had a smile on her face and an adventure to share. I always looked forward to what place she was traveling to next and she loved sharing about her grandkids and her face would light up talking about vacationing or any time spent with them. She will be missed.
Our prayer and condolences to the family and friend of Bonnie R.
We also celebrate with you all, for the opportunity to have known Bonnie and John.
Yes she was always a bundle of energy and very delightful!
Bonnie was a ray of sunshine, always cheerful and preparing for the next adventure. I’m grateful to have known her.
We are so sorry for your loss; she will be missed.
Condolences to Bonnie’s family! We will miss Bonnie, her smiles and endless energy. The RHO House lunches will never be the same without her. Hard to imagine. She would want us to enjoy the adventures we have in life. God’s peace to all.
My memories go back to Sibley High School and sharing my friendship with Bonnie. We were both “ Bonnie R’s” so it all began in our alphabetically assigned home room. We stayed in touch and just a few years ago took our moms, and sister, Dawn, out for lunch in Stillwater. She lived her life full steam ahead, riding her cycle, traveling and being with her family and friends. She was an inspiration in how to move forward after losing her husband, and her “go for it” attitude served her well. She lived life to the fullest, and that is how I will always remember her.
My deepest condolences to her family.
My thoughts are with Bonnie’s family as you celebrate Bonnie’s life and grieve her absence. My memories of Bonnie are based on occasional contact over the years. I remember her as a strong woman who was full of life and loved adventure! May each of you find peace in your own precious memories of the time spent together.
Sorry for your loss. I enjoyed working with Bonnie at Human Services. Such a wry smile! But always smiling!
Dear Bonnies Family, I just saw this and was shocked to read of her passing! I am so sorry and hope you can eventually overcome. your grief and enjoy all the fun memories you have of your mom. You now have a fantastic guardian angel !