Dorothy Emigene Bonde

Dorothy Emigene (Sterner) Bonde, 93, of Kearney, Nebraska, died Saturday, December 15, 2007, at the home of her grandson, Frank Bonde and his wife Lori, in Kearney. She was born April 12, 1914, in Callaway, Nebraska, to Charles W. and Emma May (Beckwith) Sterner. She attended Callaway Public Schools, graduating from high school in 1931. In high school she played girl’s basketball. She also played violin in the high school orchestra. She attended one year at Presbyterian College in Hastings, Nebraska, where she studied violin, French, and voice. She taught the following four years in rural schools in Logan and Custer counties. She was married to Oscar Bonde on June 2, 1936, and they farmed around Callaway all their working years. Dorothy was a cook in the school lunch program from 1956 until 1961. She worked as a telephone operator until 1965, when Callaway changed to the dial system. Dorothy then worked as a cook at the Good Samaritan Rest Home until retirement. She was a wonderful cook, making homemade bread every week. An accomplished seamstress, she made draperies, slipcovers, clothing, and handmade quilts. She was a faithful member of the United Methodist Church for over 75 years, serving in mission organizations and singing for church funerals. Her hobby was working on genealogy where she traced ancestors back to 1586, without the aid of computers. She was noted for her kindness and love to all those near to her. Survivors include her children: Stanley Bonde of Callaway, Nebraska Mercadee (Rodney J.) Clifton of Providence, R.I. Oscar Bonde, Jr. of Greeley, Colorado Grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Oscar in 1998; four sisters, Hazel Turnipseed, Etta Sterner, Amelia Patterson, and Bly Sterner. Visitation will be held Tuesday, December 18, 2007, from 4-6 p.m. at Timm-Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Callaway, Nebraska. A private family burial will be held Wednesday, December 19, 2007, with Reverend Gerald Schwarz, officiating at Callaway. A Memorial Service for family and friends will be held in April. Donations in her memory may be made to the Callaway United Methodist Church or the Nigel Sprouse Memorial Library. Timm-Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Callaway is in charge of arrangements.