Thief River Falls – Ione Gonsorowski, 89, of Thief River Falls, passed away on Tuesday, October 3, 2017 at Sanford Medical Center, Thief River Falls, with her loving family by her side.
Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, October 7, 2017 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Thief River Falls. Burial followed at St. Bernard’s Cemetery in Thief River Falls.
Ione Evelyn Vanyo was born on April 27, 1928 at home in Tabor, the daughter of Frank and Pauline (Miller) Vanyo. Ione was the eldest of seven children. She was baptized and confirmed at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Tabor.
Ione attended grade school, 1st through 7th grade, at Sunnyside School in Tabor and went one year (8th grade) in Alvarado, where she stayed with her uncle, John Vanyo and family. Grades 9-12, she attended Monroe High School in St. Paul, graduating in 1945.
On November 25, 1947, Ione was united in marriage to Hubert Gonsorowski at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Argyle. To this union, six children were born: Gary, Yvonne, Duane, Louis, Gerald and Roger. They were married for 66 years until Hubert’s death in 2014.
Ione’s first job was taking care of a handicapped woman after school, then working at Walgreen’s Drug Store in St. Paul. After being united in marriage, Hubert and Ione moved to Grand Forks, ND where they lived with Florian and Martha Gonsorowski. Ione then went to work at Torgerson Drug Store in East Grand Forks.
The family moved to Argyle where Ione stayed home with the children and did the books for Hubert’s Standard Oil Service. In November of 1969, the family made their home in Thief River Falls.
Ione worked at Children’s Toggery and Bjorkman’s Clothing before going to St. Bernard’s Catholic School as the Head Cook from 1982-2009. During those years, Ione also did catering and weddings.
About three weeks ago, Ione wrote her own obituary and at this point she said, “that’s enough!”
Survivors include her daughter, Yvonne (Tim) Benedict; sons, Duane (Diane) Gonsorowski, Louis Gonsorowski, Gerald (MaryBeth) Gonsorowski all of Thief River Falls, and Roger (Jenny) Gonsorowski of Independence, IA; grandchildren, Michael (Julie) Benedict, Rachel Benedict, Paul (Jackie) Gonsorowski, Jenni (Chris) Restad, Mauri (Anthony) Roy, Leanna Gonsorowski, Noah Gonsorowski, Geran Gonsorowski, Jazlyn Gonsorowski, Nick Gonsorowski; great-grandchildren, Gannon and Easton Gonsorowski, Gunner and Reagan Restad, Levi Roy and twin Roys due in February, and Mykah Melville; brother, Frank (Jewel) Vanyo, Jr.; sisters, Lorraine (Wayne) Olson and Pauline Fisher; sisters-in-law, Barb Vanyo and Betty Gonsorowski; brothers-in-law, Daniel Gonsorowski, Edward Gonsorowski, and Gaylord Loughrey; and many other relatives and friends.
Ione is preceded in death by her husband, Hubert in 2014; son, Gary in 1954; parents, Frank and Pauline Vanyo; siblings, Robert (Cecilia) Vanyo, Leo (Lorraine) Vanyo, Joseph Vanyo; brother-in-law, James Fisher; and many members of Hubert’s family.
Family condolences may be sent to www.johnsonfuneralservice.com
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