Bonita "Bonnie" Kaye Norstad

August 24, 1945 — May 14, 2024

Bonita “Bonnie” Kaye Norstad (age 78) of Rushford passed away at Mayo Clinic Hospital Saint Mary’s

Campus on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. A Celebration of Bonnie’s life will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2024

at 11:30 a.m. at Rushford Lutheran Church, with a gathering of friends and family held there from 10:00

– 11:30 am. Pastor Steve Chellew will officiate the service and honorary pallbearers will be her

grandchildren.

Born on August 24, 1945, in Red Wing to Willard and Adeline (Hanson) Lindell, Bonnie graduated from

Cannon Falls High School in 1963, where she was crowned Homecoming Queen. She married the love of

her life, James “Jim” Richard Norstad, at Spring Garden Lutheran Church on July 13, 1963. Together, the

couple raised their family in Cannon Falls before moving to Rushford in 1972. They worked together

side by side to support each other and their family to grow and flourish over their almost 61 years

together.

Bonnie's life was a testament to her kindness, warmth, and timeless elegance. She not only raised a

loving family but also nurtured the Rushford community through her work at the Rushford Clinic, Jim's

Building Center, and the Mill Street Inn. She was an active member of the Women’s Federated Club and

Bridge club, and was known for her beautiful voice, which graced the Spring Garden Lutheran Church

quartet. Bonnie’s love for flowers was evident in her vibrant gardens, a reflection of the beauty she

brought to everything she did, especially her unforgettable fashion sense.

Despite battling Rheumatoid Arthritis for over 50 years, Bonnie never let it define her or slow her down.

She remained a central figure in her family's lives, creating cherished memories through gatherings that

were legendary for her overflowing tables of food. Following her grandchildren's activities locally and

across the country brought her immense joy. She cherished adventures with friends and family, creating

lasting memories through many trips and travels. She was known for rarely missing an event, and her

support and love will be deeply missed at future milestones.

Bonnie is lovingly remembered by her husband Jim of Rushford, her children, Dawn Epps of Cannon Falls

and Greg (Kim) Norstad of Rushford, her grandchildren, Megan (Chris) Stokka of Lakeville, Shelby (Matt)

Bateman of Burnsville, Blake (Lenora) Norstad of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, Ryan Epps of Colorado

Springs, CO and Sophie Epps of Cannon Falls, her great-grandchildren Charlotte Bateman, Joey Stokka

and Roman Stokka, her siblings, Margene Benson, Martha Norstad, Val Rae (Steve) Haggstrom, Merlyn

(Brenda) Lindell, Mark (Glenda) Lindell, all of Cannon Falls and Robert (Michelle) Lindell of Pequot Lakes,

MN,. Bonnie is further survived by her many nieces and nephews, and countless other relatives and

friends. Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers-in-law Gary Benson, Robert

Norstad, Gary Norstad, Orlando Norstad, and sister-in-law Roseanne Norstad.

Bonnie always made sure her loved ones knew they were “so precious to her heart” and will be forever

missed.

In lieu of flowers, please instead consider a donation which will be directed to the Rushford Ambulance
Service in Bonnie’s name.