Bonnie Joy (Custer) Cole

Bonnie Joy Custer was born on June 27th, 1935 in Sioux City, Iowa to Orville and Rosie Custer. Bonnie passed away peacefully at her home in Bigfork, Minnesota on November 24th, 2024 at the age of 89. Bonnie had two sisters, Lily and Shirley. Lily passed away at the early age of two. In 1950, the family moved to Bigfork, Minnesota where she met the love of her life, Floyd Cole. They were married on February 18th, 1953. They raised three children, Floyd Jr., Ray, and Sandy.

Bonnie worked various jobs as a Stanley product salesperson, a Riverside Rest Home aide, and a hospital cook before she built her career at the First State Bank of Bigfork where she worked for over 30 years. Bonnie and Floyd also harvested wild rice, picked pinecones, raised cattle, and harvested hay.

Bonnie loved the Lord and was a true and faithful servant. She spent much of her time helping others--you could often find her balancing checkbooks or grocery shopping for people at the Bigfork Villa. Bonnie was passionate about making and sending cards to those she loved and cared about. She volunteered at the Food Shelf for 40 years and helped start and maintain the Alumni Association. She played a key role in fundraising for the Edge Center and the school track. She was the Clerk/Treasurer of Riverside Chapel for 30 years. She spent several years teaching Sunday School at Riverside Chapel and later First Presbyterian Church of Bigfork right up until her last days. She was a lunch buddy at the school for several years. Yes, serving was her passion!

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents, Orville and Rosie Custer; sisters, Lily and Shirley; husband, Floyd; and son, Floyd Jr.

She is survived by her son, Ray (LaDonna) Cole; daughter, Sandy (Al) Northquest; daughter-in-law Gloria (Tom Anderson) Cole; brother-in-law, Roy Scherer; grandchildren, Jeff Cole, Jeremy Cole, Andrea Cole, Ben Holland, Ryan Holland, Keturah Rothermel, Nicole Holley, Isaac Northquest; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Her celebration of life will be held on Saturday, November 30th, at First Presbyterian Church in Bigfork, MN. 10:00 am visitation followed by a service at 11:00am.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bonnie Joy (Custer) Cole, please visit our floral store.