Obituary of Grace Bonertz

Grace Bonertz, age 105, of Yankton, SD passed away Thursday, November 13, 2014 at the Avera Sister James Care Center, Yankton, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Monday, November 17, 2014 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Yankton, SD, with Rev. Mark Lichter officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Yankton, SD. Visitations will begin at 6:00 PM, Sunday, November 16, 2014 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, with a rosary at 7:00 PM followed by a Scripture service at 7:30 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Grace Bonertz was born in St. Helena, Nebraska on March 11, 1909 to Frank and Veronica Bender. She attended grade school in St. Helena and graduated from high school in Wynot, Nebraska. Grace went on to nurse's training at Sacred Heart Hospital and graduated as a registered nurse in 1930. She worked as an RN from 1930-1975 in three different states: South Dakota, Iowa and California. While living in Wynot, Grace met Francis Bonertz on February 2, 1935 and the two of them married. They have one daughter, Sandra Bonertz, who lives in California. Grace and Francis were married for 63 years before his death. Grace is survived by 1 daughter, Sandra Bonertz; several nieces and nephews and special friend, Doris Budig. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and 5 brothers and 4 sisters.