Bonita Rose Kempenich, 61, passed away on June 15, 2023, at RiverView Health in Crookston, MN. Bonita was born to Joseph and Gloria (Sobkowich) Hnatiuk on January 22, 1962, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Growing up in Winnipeg, she graduated from J.H. Bruns Collegiate and was employed with Revenue Canada during the 1980s. Later on, she became a travel agent in Winnipeg in the 1990s before turning her attention to raising her daughters – Sara and Bethany. In 2003, Bonita moved to Anoka, MN, where she married Gregory Leonard Kempenich at the Anoka County Courthouse on January 16, 2004.
Bonita worked at Target Corporation in Anoka before moving with Greg to Fargo, ND in 2008 for five years. The couple moved to the Beach in Ormond by the Sea, relocated to Debary, FL, then returned to Minnesota at Coon Rapids in 2017. In 2021 they settled in Crookston.
Throughout her life Bonita immersed herself in faith, always redeemed and valued in Him. She found strength and worth in His Word, which was the rock of all that she was. Bonita was an accomplished artist who took her inspiration from the world around her by working with mixed media. Her passion for culture and faith were evident in her work as they were always rooted in love and positivity. Her family found comfort through the words Bonita would commit to pages throughout her life and her artistic vision.
Bonita’s heart condition was a constant in her later years: however; she never let it crush her spirit or faith. Her belief shone brightly amid the darkness of such a challenge.
Bonita is lovingly survived by her husband, Greg Kempenich of Crookston, MN; her two daughters, Sara Krulicki and her partner, Dustin Miller, and Bethany Krulicki and her fiancé, Mike Sabourin – all of Winnipeg; her granddaughter, Olivia Autumn Sabourin of Winnipeg; her mother, Gloria Hallson and husband, Gerry, of Winnipeg; and father, Joseph Hnatiuk and his wife, Marilyn, also of Winnipeg.
In life, Bonita Rose Kempenich touched the hearts of her family with her faith, love, and art. May God bless her memory. Bonita’s life will be celebrated with a private family service to be held in her honor.
Messages of condolence may be offered on her obituary page at www.stenshoelhouske.com.
