Oklee – Bonnie Jean (Nelson) Jensen entered into eternal life on Saturday, April 25, 2026, while visiting family in Arizona.
A life-long resident of the Oklee area, Bonnie Jean Nelson was born August 8, 1933, the third of five children to Virgil and Lillian (Nelson) Nelson. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Oklee, attended Lambert Country School for grades 1–8, and Oklee High School for grades 9–12, graduating with the Class of ‘51. After high school Bonnie worked as a secretary at Fargo Foundry and as a telephone operator in Colorado Springs, CO, and in New York City.
On July 19, 1953, Bonnie and Alvin Jensen were united in marriage in an evening ceremony at Zion Lutheran Church in Oklee. Together the couple owned and operated Jensen Mink Ranch. Over the next 18 years, nine children were welcomed into their family. While busy as a homemaker, Bonnie was also active in local saddle and snowmobile clubs, was a 4-H leader, a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, “Buzzin’ Dozen” Homemakers Group, Zion Lutheran ladies circles, and was instrumental in helping to establish Girl Scouts in Oklee.
As her children grew, Bonnie earned an associate’s degree at Northland Junior College in Thief River Falls, worked for Garden Valley, the Oklee Herald, as a Welcome Wagon hostess, and as a secretary for Lutheran Social Services.
She enjoyed crocheting, embroidery and needle work, gardening, reading, cooking and baking – sharing her skills and many favorite recipes with her daughters. Bonnie was especially talented in sewing and quilting, lovingly creating many beautiful and treasured quilts for her family.
Bonnie loved card and board games, often carrying a deck of cards in her purse. She was still playing cards – and winning – three weeks before her passing! Whist, Rummikub, and Mexican Train Dominoes were favorite games; she cherished the many fun times and meals shared with her Dominoes group. The friendships she forged with other members of Marriage Encounter, Compassionate Friends, her Bethel Church family and Bethel’s Widows Group were also especially important to Bonnie.
Survivors are her daughters: Jane Curtis of Cheyenne, WY; Ludeen (Guy) Rice of Fond du Lac, WI; Joani (Arlen) Marquis of Trail; Connie (Bruce) Kriel of Chandler, AZ; Donna (Philip) Larson of Princeton; and Diane (Mike) Johnson of Cave Creek, AZ; sons: Alan Jensen of Watford City, ND; Barry (Adrianne) Jensen of Broken Arrow, OK; and Eric Jensen of Fargo, ND. Bonnie is also survived by 23 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, a number of cousins, many nieces and nephews, and friends.
Bonnie was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Alvin; their daughter, Sharon; granddaughter, Lilliann Jensen; grandson, Prestan Marquis; her parents, Virgil and Lillian Nelson; grandparents, Lewis and Amelia Nelson and Andrew and Rose Nelson; her in-laws, Arthur and Olianna Jensen.
As the last of her siblings, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Vearl Nelson and Lyle Nelson; sisters, Bette Janik and Carole DeFrang; also brothers-in-law, Willard Jensen, Raymond Jensen, Howard Bergeron, and Doug DeFrang; sisters-in-law, Gen Nelson, Betty Nelson, Catherine (Jensen) Jorgenson, Lois (Jensen) Eck, and Alice Bergeron; nieces, Peggy Nelson and Sandra DeFrang; and nephews, Peter Jaroch, John Janik, Steve Nelson, David DeFrang and Dean DeFrang; as well as other extended-family members.
Bonnie will forever be remembered and missed by her family and her dearest companion, her “puppy” Sadie.
Those we love don’t go away
They walk beside us every day
Unseen, unheard but always near
Still loved, still missed ….. and very dear.
Friends and relatives are invited to a time of visitation at Johnson Funeral Service in Oklee, from 3–5 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, 2026. A brief service of scripture, prayer and sharing memories will begin at 4 p.m.
Visitation will continue at Bethel Assembly Church in Fosston on Monday, May 18, 2026, from 10–11 a.m. after which Celebration of Life services will be held with Pastor Seth Johnson officiating.
Private burial services will take place later in the day at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Oklee.
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