Bonnie R. Pokrzywinski, 86, formerly of East Grand Forks and Crookston, MN, passed away Sunday morning, January 22, 2023, at her home at Valley Senior Living, Grand Forks, ND. After days of not being awake or responsive, she awoke and summoned her kids to herself. In her final moments, she expressed her love and said “goodbye for now.” It was a difficult and sweet parting.
Bonnie was born on a very cold February 5, 1936, in Hoople, North Dakota, and was christened Bonna Rae Jones by her parents Esther Jones (Martin) and Beri Jones. She grew up in the community of Oslo, Minnesota with older siblings, Clive, Robert ‘Pat’, and Mary Lou. She lived for a number of years on the farm of her Uncle “Jack” John Martin. Bonnie graduated from Oslo High School in 1953, and soon went to work in the law office of Ronald Davies and worked there until she married Marlan Pokrzywinski on November 24, 1954, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Oslo.
The young couple settled in Crookston, and together raised 7 children: Carolyn, Michael, Patrick, Deborah, Julie, John, and Kathryn. However, countless “adopted” kids also filled their life and home over the years. The Pokrzywinski household was full of activity, noise, comings and goings, messes, chaos, and a ton of love. It wasn’t always pretty, but it was genuine, comfortable, and safe. Bonnie knew how to welcome any kid who needed a place to drop in for 15 minutes or stay for a month. Many called her “mom.”
Bonnie worked for Polk County social services holding various positions. At her retirement, she was the director of Child Support Services for the county. In addition to working full time, Bonnie grew gardens, canned food, sewed clothing for her family, babysat grandkids, and was very involved in Al-Anon where she not only found support for herself but mentored and helped innumerable people over the years.
Bonnie was an accomplished seamstress, knitter, and crochet artist. Her sewing room was always “off limits” at Christmas time and few who knew her didn’t have something she had made by hand. She loved to play cards and although she loved her kids deeply, she took great satisfaction in beating them at every game they played. She was fiercely proud of her Irish heritage but could dance the Polka like nobody else. She wasn’t a big sports fan, but the exception was her beloved Minnesota Twins. She was fun and funny. Her wit was dry and clever. She was loved and loving – and is already deeply missed by those who knew her.
Bonnie was a longtime member of the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, where she was involved in many ministries over the years.
Bonnie is survived by her children: Carolyn (Daniel) Weber and Michael (Bonnie) Pokrzywinski of East Grand Forks, MN, Patrick Pokrzywinski of Durango, CO, son-in-law, Jon Leas of Yakima, WA, Julie (Jay) Kidwell of East Grand Forks, John (Mary Sue) Pokrzywinski of Duluth, MN and Kathryn (Kurt) Koestler of St. Paul, MN; 17 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews, sisters-in-law, Arlene Thune of Thief River Falls, MN and Darlene Pokrzywinski of Grand Forks, ND; as well as many friends and “adopted” kids who called her “mom.”
Bonnie was preceded in death by Marlan, her husband of 65 years who died on June 27, 2019; her parents, Beri and Esther Jones; daughter, Deborah Leas; great-grandson, Max; siblings: Floyd Jones, Pat Jones and Marlin (Mary Lou) Obie; and brothers-in-law, Marlan Obie, Gerald Pokrzywinski and Norris Thune.
Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Bonnie’s life will be held Saturday, January 28 at 10:30 am at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Crookston. Visitation will be held Friday, January 27 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm at the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home with a prayer service at 7:30 pm. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday morning. The Mass will be live-streamed by going to www.crookstoncathedral.com and clicking on the prompt to view. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery later this spring. Messages of condolence may be conveyed to Bonnie’s family on her obituary page at www.stenshoelhouske.com
