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Submitted: 11/21/23 • Approved: 11/21/23 • Last Updated: 11/24/23 • R275631-G275627-S3
Section Oak
Bonnie A. Tschetter
July 14, 1954 - May 21, 2023
Bonnie A. Tschetter, age 68, of Sioux Falls, died Sunday, May 21 at Ava’s House with her loving family at her side after a valiant battle with pancreatic-duodenal cancer. A memorial celebration of her life will be held at Linwood Wesleyan Church at 10:30 AM on Friday, May 26. There will be a visitation with family present on Thursday, May 25 from 5:00 to 7:30 PM at George Boom Funeral Home on East 10th Street in Sioux Falls. Interment will be held in a private family service at Woodlawn Cemetery.
Bonita (Bonnie) Ann Tschetter was born in Luverne, MN to Waldo and Dorothy (Willems) Serie. She was raised on the family farm near Jasper, MN and attended Jasper Public Schools. After graduation from high school, Bonnie attended and graduated from the Sioux Falls School of Practical Nursing. She then began a life-long nursing career working on medical floors, intensive care and coronary care units, as well as the emergency department at both McKennan and Sioux Valley hospitals. In 1990, Bonnie went to work in the ENT department at Central Plains Clinic that was later purchased by Sanford Health. She continued to work in ENT including the last ten years of her career in the Head and Neck Cancer Program. She retired in January, 2022.
In 1973, Bonnie was united in marriage to Daniel Dubbelde in Jasper, Minnesota. Dan died of cancer later that same year. On October 2, 1976, Bonnie married Orlen Tschetter in Sioux Falls where the couple made their home and raised their family for 46 years.
Bonnie dedicated her life to serving others. She was active in her childrens’ schools, where she regularly acted as room mother and served in the PTA. Through these years, she made dear friends with many fellow parents and teachers, who she kept in touch with long after. She also became well-known for her wonderful homemade baked goods, which brought the kids’ friends to the Tschetter kitchen counter time and time again. Mentoring was a special part of Bonnie’s life and she spent many years with each of her mentees, committed to seeing them through their high school years. She applied the sewing skills she learned from her mother to sew baby blankets, costumes, curtains, and even bridesmaid dresses for one daughter’s wedding.
While life was busy, Bonnie made sure the Tschetter family was at church regularly, and attributed much of her success as a mother to the help of the church community. Through those church connections, Bonnie traveled on several mission trips to Nigeria, Zambia, and Romania. Most recently, she spent time visiting seniors from the church no longer able to leave their homes.
She and Orlen were blessed to explore the world together. In addition to many vacations in the U.S, they enjoyed visiting Alaska, Mexico, the Caribbean, Costa Rica, Brazil, and Africa. As much as they loved going away together, one of their favorite destinations remained their home at Lake Poinsett, where they hosted family as often as possible.
Bonnie’s heart for others was felt by hundreds of patients and colleagues during her 40+ years of nursing. She was known for her extensive medical knowledge, calming presence, and genuine caring nature. She truly enjoyed her work and held off on retiring because she loved the people so much.
Undoubtedly Bonnie’s most treasured role was being “Grandma Bonnie.” She cared for each of her eleven grandchildren with great love, the patience of a saint, and a fun sense of adventure. Grandma Bonnie could regularly be found rocking babies, playing games, baking sweets, doing crafts, digging in the garden, making s’mores, attending ball games, and canning peaches for her dear grandchildren.
Left to cherish the memory of Bonnie’s life are husband Orlen Tschetter; sons, Chad (Neelee) Tschetter, Southlake, TX, Drs. Paul (Amanda) Tschetter, Minneapolis, MN; daughters, Natalie (Troy) Eisenberg, and Laura Beth (Joe) Rutten, Sioux Falls. Sisters, Barb (Bert) Risty, Garretson, SD, and Cindy (Greg) Matthiesen, Jasper, MN; brothers, Dennis (Pat) Serie, Urbana, OH, and Doug (Cherie) Serie, Lakeville, MN. Grandchildren, Quaid, Ava, Murphy, Halle, Finley, Leighton, Dylan, Leo, Vincent, Nicholas, and Anthony. Foreign exchange daughter, Silvia and son Gustavo, as well as a host of extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her late husband Dan Dubbelde, her parents, and her brother, Randy.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Lake Poinsett Methodist Youth Camp or Children’s Home Society of SD.
Contributed on 11/21/23 by 9katz
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Record #: 275631