Bonna Rasset

Bonna Kay Rasset, 79, of Ortonville, MN, passed away peacefully on December 30th, 2024, in her home after a battle with cancer.

A memorial service will take place on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Abiding Faith Free Lutheran Church in Ortonville, MN. Visitation will be held on the same day, from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., prior to the service. Inurnment will follow at a later date.

Bonna’s service will be live streamed, recorded and viewable below this obituary.

Bonna was born on July 14, 1945, to Mert and Bert Bardell in Jamestown, ND. After graduating from Colfax High School in 1963, she went on to study elementary education at Mayville College and Ellendale College in ND, graduating in 1967. Bonna’s first teaching job in Annandale, MN, was short-lived but important, as it was there, she met her husband of nearly 56 years, Jim Rasset. They had a short courtship and were married on January 31, 1969.

Jim and Bonna went on to have three children: Greg, Julie, and Suzy. In 1975, they moved to Ortonville, MN, where they raised their family at Big Stone Lake State Park, where Jim was the park manager. Bonna spent the next 16 years raising her children and helping at the state park. She cherished these years of caring for her family and enjoyed meeting many interesting people as she registered campers.

Bonna returned to teaching in 1991 and spent 20 years teaching third graders at James Knoll Elementary in Ortonville. She loved teaching! Her students meant the world to her, and she went above and beyond to make each one feel special. It wasn’t uncommon for Bonna to organize special outings for her students, which set her apart. She was loved by many, as evidenced by former students who, even 20–30 years after graduation, would still greet her with a hug. “Mrs. Rasset” always made time to hear about their lives and treasured those conversations. Her teaching extended beyond the classroom, as she also taught children about Jesus at both St. John’s Catholic Church and Abiding Faith Free Lutheran Church.

Bonna’s greatest hobby was her family! Whatever they were involved in, she was too. She was always attending sporting events, calling her kids and grandkids frequently for updates, planning little get-togethers, or dropping by with a “treat.” Bonna especially cherished the 20 years spent with her family at the lake cabin on Campbell’s Slough. Wonderful memories were made playing board games and trivia, sharing delicious food, and watching her family grow. Above all, she prioritized her family, always being there for them. While she admitted to worrying about those she loved, she was getting better at “letting go and letting God.” 

Bonna also had many wonderful friends. Her fun-loving personality was one in a million! She loved to tease and joke with new and old friends alike. Acting silly and making people laugh was her specialty! Over the years, Bonna participated in many Bible studies, where she shared her faith and openly discussed her opinions which sparked many memorable conversations. Finally, she adored Elvis Presley and had a house full of Elvis memorabilia to prove it!

Bonna was fun, Bonna loved BIG, and Bonna made an impression on everyone she met. She will be remembered fondly forever as that caring, loving, and unforgettable funny lady with the warm smile.

Bonna was preceded in death by her daughter, Suzanne; her parents, Mert and Bert Bardell; her brothers, Lester and Ray Bardell; her parents-in-law, Marv and Grace Rasset; and her brothers-in-law, Denny, Don, and Dave Rasset.

She is survived by her husband, Jim; her son, Greg (Heather); her daughter, Julie (Ryan) Danielson; her grandchildren, Brenna (Danny) Tuckett, Drew (Sara) Danielson, Bethany (Christian) Bickel, Mikayla (Keegan) Hamann, Sienna Rasset, and Connor Danielson; and her great-grandchildren, Braxtyn, Bella, TJ, and Kianna Tuckett, Drake Danielson, and Ezra Bickel—all of Ortonville. What a blessing!