Bonnie Muehlberg

Bonnie Jean Muehlberg, 63, longtime resident of Rolette, ND, passed away on November 4, 2014 at Marie Steiner Kelting Hospice House in Chaska, MN. The Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, November 6, at St. John's Catholic Church in Wahpeton, ND. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Fairview Memorial Gardens, Wahpeton. A Memorial Service will be held at the Rolette High School in Rolette, ND at 2:00 PM on Saturday, November 8, 2014. Arrangements are entrusted to Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton, ND.

Bonnie was born March 3rd, 1951 to the late Leland and Erma (Becker) Muehlberg. She was raised on the family farm near Barney, ND, and attended Wyndmere High School, graduating in 1969. Bonnie's favorite place was the family farm and her fondest memories included helping her parents with the farm chores and especially harvest season. She often discussed life problems and issues with the family dog, Lady. During her last year and a half of high school, Bonnie attended classes at North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton. She then transferred to Valley City State University in Valley City, ND, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in English and Business and a minor in Library Science in 1972.

Bonnie's teaching career spanned more than 36 ½ years, teaching at Riverdale, Wolford, Rolla, and Rolette, with the majority of her years in the Rolette Public School. Her love for teaching had more to do with working with her students who became her extended family and with many becoming lifelong friends. Her devotion to her students and the school went beyond the classroom. Bonnie devoted countless hours coaching and supporting the athletic programs. She ran the time clock, kept statistics, and supported the sports program. Over the years she coached girl's basketball, cheer squads, and followed the various sports activities as one of their greatest supporters. She was a major contributor for the year book over the years, as well as the primary photographer for the year book and for many of the sports activities.

Bonnie was proud to have been elected as the Class B Speech Coach of the Year 3 different times. Her proudest accomplishment, perhaps, was being elected to the Hall of Fame by the Communication, Speech, and Theater Association of North Dakota (CSTAND) of which she was not only a member, but a big advocate for the organization. She was also heavily involved in her community, chairing the City of Rolette Centennial Celebration, serving on the Presentation Medical Center Board of Directors in Rolla for 8 years, and as secretary of Border Power, LLC in their efforts to develop a wind farm as well as serving on the Rolette Job Authority.

When Bonnie became ill she expressed back in March that she would best like to be remembered for making a difference in someone's life. Through your cards, email, and FaceBook, she now understands that she made a difference in the lives of many people. She treasures her memories of summer vacations with her family to the Ottertail Lake area, fishing, any family time, and of course, harvest season on the farm. Her greatest inspiration was our dad, and her greatest accomplishment was caring for our parents prior to their deaths in 1995 (Erma) and 1998 (Leland).

Bonnie came to learn that the greatest lesson in life is to cherish each day with family and friends. She thanks everyone for their prayers and show of love through the difficult times, but as she indicates, a simple thank you is not enough. Her words say it all. "While we take the love and respect of others for granted, too often through this process I have come to understand and appreciate each of you more and more. Thank you is not enough, but it's the only words that come to mind, and they truly come from my heart and soul".

Bonnie was preceded in death by parents Erma and Leland and brother in-law Michael Peterson. She is survived by sister Jackie Peterson, brother Larry Muehlberg (Peggy), their 2 sons, Ryan and Kyle Muehlberg, and special friends, Dan and Mary Richard.

Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, or Rolette Foundation for Education.