Bruce Dallas Bohnsack

Bruce Bohnsack, age 90, passed away at his home on Saturday, June 24, 2023, with his wife, Sharon, and his stepdaughter, Vikki, by his side, from complications of Parkinson’s.

Bruce Dallas Bohnsack was born on January 20, 1933, the only child of Walter and Alice (Krohn) Bohnsack, in Hillsboro, ND. He attended the Bohnsack Consolidated School through the 8th grade and the University of Crookston Agriculture School until graduation. He married Esther Jorgensen of Halstad, MN, on June 3, 1951 – they had four children.

Bruce grew up on the Bohnsack farm. The family lived in Aberdeen, SD, and Ada, MN, while he worked for other farmers. When his father decided to go back to college, Bruce moved back to the Bohnsack farm. He grew wheat, flax, barley, corn, durum and sugar beets. He also milked Holstein cows for many years. Bruce and Esther moved to Fargo in 1998. Bruce was involved in the Hillsboro community – serving on many boards and projects, the Bohnsack Township Board, the Hillsboro School Board and the administrative council of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Hillsboro. Bruce enjoyed fishing and the family made a yearly trip to Minnesota to fish until he bought the lake cabin on Big Sugar Bush Lake where they all enjoyed spending time, especially the grandkids, who have many good memories of being at the lake.

In the 1980’s, he started serving on the board of directors for Federal Land Bank in Fargo, until they merged with Production Credit Association of Fargo to become Farm Credit Services of Fargo, and Agri Bank of St. Paul, MN. He continued to serve on the board as Director Seventh District and Agri Bank Director. He went to the Ukraine in 2003 as an Agribusiness Volunteer.

Bruce married Sharon Roberts on August 9, 2004, at First Lutheran Church in Fargo. Bruce would help his cousins, Brian and Ryan Bohnsack every year with planting and harvesting until Parkinson’s slowed him down. They enjoyed going to concerts – The Bellamy Brothers, Sherwin Linton, and Sharon’s high school classmate Bobby Vee! They were involved and volunteered at the Sons of Norway Lodge and Klub in Fargo. They were on the Lutefisk Team, Brunch Team, Potato Klubb Team, Lefse Making and Bowling Team, made 750 Krumkake for KFGO and attended Sons of Norway Conventions. Bruce was President of the Lodge and Klub at one time. They made many friends and many wonderful memories, especially with the tours and parades.

Bruce and his son, Bruce Jr. would go fishing in Canada in May with friends which he really looked forward to until four years ago when his legs gave him problems. He loved watching and feeding the birds and squirrels at home. He did wood-working and refinishing furniture. He made wine and cork bird houses, wine cork banks, wine cork small horses and a wine cork coffee table from working at wine tasting events, collecting wine corks. He enjoyed playing cards, the casinos and later picture puzzles.

Bruce is survived by his four children – Beth Aufforth of Bowbells, ND; Bruce (Kathy) Bohnsack Jr. of Discovery Bay, CA; Becky (Dwight) Krueger of Kent, MN; and Bonnie Bohnsack of Washburn, ND; his eight grandchildren – Brian (Teri) Aufforth, Joy (John) Beard, Molly (Kellen) Peters, Jeff (Jen) Bohnsack, Rob Bohnsack, Josh (Lacey) Krueger, Seth (Margaret) Krueger, Emily (Joel) Bogenreif; his 16 great-grandchildren – Haley Sekora, Camden Aufforth, Zackery Beard, Amelia Peters, Theodore and Penelope Bohnsack, Luka, Ella, Thomas, Issac, and Chace Krueger, Annabel Krueger, Bentley Rasmussen, Rowan Zach, Jack and Brady Bogenreif.

Bruce is also survived by his wife, Sharon; his step-son, Brian (Vicki) Roberts, his step-daughter, Vikki (Shannon Weltikol) Munro; his five step-grandchildren – Britny (Issac) Joachim, Jamie (Taryn Thorstad) Wohl, Elizabeth (David) Rommesmo, and William Roberts. Also surviving is his sister-in-law, Marlys Olson; and his nephew, Michael Olson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Alice Bohnsack; his son-in-law, Herman Aufforth and his mother-in-law, Nella Ross; his brother-in-law, Milan Olson; and his beloved cat, Brinkley Dallas.

A special thank you to Hospice of the Red River Valley of Fargo for all their care during this difficult time. An extra special thank you to his step-daughter, Vikki for always taking care of her “Dad”, especially his last five days at home.

FUNERAL SERVICE: 11 AM Friday, June 30, 2023, at Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center in Fargo – with a visitation one hour prior (livestreamed on the funeral home website for those unable to attend)

BURIAL: Riverside Cemetery in Fargo