James "Marion" Bonser

Funeral Services for James "Marion" Bonser will be conducted from the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bertrand, Nebraska on Friday, September 21, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. with Reverend Gary Panko and Darrel Wissmann, PMA, officiating. Interment will be in the Highland Cemetery at Bertrand.

James "Marion" Bonser, 73 years of age, of Bertrand, passed away on Monday, September 17, 2007 at the Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege. Marion was born December 30, 1933 on the family farm north of Bertrand in Phelps County, the youngest of four children of Harry and Maggie (Richardson) Bonser. Marion received his primary education at rural District #33 in Phelps County and then attended the Bertrand Community School. Following his education, Marion served his country in the United States Navy from December 6, 1955 until his honorable discharge on May 14, 1957.

Following his return from the service, Marion engaged in farming with his father north of Bertrand. On September 3, 1961 he was united in marriage to Shirley Ann Daiss at Lexington, Nebraska and to this union two daughters were born: Ann and Kimberly. The family made their home at Bertrand, where after his farming experiences Marion was a self-employed contractor and then was employed as a heavy equipment operator for the Phelps County Department of Roads until his retirement in 2002.

He enjoyed collecting miniature tractors, was an accomplished wood worker and loved spending time with his family. Marion was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bertrand, member of the American Legion Post in Bertrand and currently served on the Phelps County Senior Center Board of Directors.

Marion leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Shirley of Bertrand; two daughters: Ann Bartels and her husband, Larry of Bertrand and Kim Houlden and her husband, Kevin of Lincoln, Nebraska; five grandchildren: Trenton and Jamelle Bartels and Megan, Cole and Blaine Houlden; sister, Dorothy Lavene and her husband, Paul of Bertrand; three sisters-in-law, Dixie Bonser of Springfield, Missouri, Frances Matera of Cathedral City, California and Bonnie Porter and her husband, Lloyd of Lexington; brother-in-law, Howard Daiss and his wife, Betty of Lexington; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers: Francis Bonser and Junior Bonser.

Mr. Bonser will lie in state on Thursday, September 20, 2007 from 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. at the Sandstrom Funeral Home in Bertrand.

A memorial has been established in his memory and suggested to the Bertrand Rescue Unit or the Bertrand Senior Center.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Sandstrom Funeral Home in Bertrand, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.