A. James “Slim” Bonner

A. James “Slim” Bonner, 87, of Clear Lake, died Friday, April 12, 2019, at Oakwood Care Center, in Clear Lake.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 18, at Clear Lake United Methodist Church, 508 2nd Ave. N., Clear Lake, with Pastor David Peterson officiating.  Burial will be at Pleasant Valley Township Cemetery, in Swaledale.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake.

Jim was born March 25, 1932, the son of Lester and Nora (Donner) Bonner, in Swaledale.  He married Beverly Watson on Jan. 12, 1951, in Thornton.  She preceded him in death on May 25, 1987.  He later married Luella Ames, in 1988, in Minneapolis, Minn.

A 1949 graduate of Swaledale High School, Jim entered the trucking business alongside his father, Lester.  He was drafted into the United States Army and served during the Korean War.  Upon his honorable discharge in 1954, he returned home and established Bonner Truck Line.  He started with one truck and ended up with 20 trucks hauling primarily livestock coast to coast to Mexico and Canada.  He also owned Farmer’s Livestock Market, in Meservey.   Jim was a mentor and friend who provided guidance, as well as life lessons to many area young men he employed.   

Jim was a member the Clear Lake VFW Post 4868, Rockwell American Legion Gallagher Post 208, Thornton American Legion, Disabled American Veterans Unit, of Webster City, member of Korean War Veterans Association, Clear Lake Noon Lions, Za-Ga-Zig Shrine, and a past member of the Swaledale Fire Department.  He also served as a Cerro Gordo County Department of Veteran Affairs Commissioner.

Jim was a very kind, loving, hardworking man who was very proud to have served his country.  When he wasn’t working with the trucking business, he enjoyed listening to polka music, golfing, driving through the countryside looking at crops, and attending the 3:00 Round-table at the VFW, in Clear Lake.  He liked going to polka dances, wintering in La Feria, Tex., and taking fishing trips with his family to Lake Kabetogama, Minn.  More than anything, he cherished the time spent with his family; especially his grandchildren.

Jim is survived by his wife, Luella Bonner, of Clear Lake; two daughters, Jane (Dennis) Behr, of Rockwell and Jodi (Doug) Klasse, of Earlham; daughter-in-law, Jamie Bonner, of Clear Lake; four step-children, Mark (Carol) Ames, of Rockwell, Nancy Nieman, of Clear Lake, Steve (Mary Jo) Ames, of Garner, and Doug (Carol) Ames, of Garner; three grandchildren, Cory (Jennifer) Behr, Jerrod Behr and Andrea (Joel) Sauser; seven step-grandchildren; five great-grandchildren, Carter, Brett, Reagan, Savannah, and Raelynn; 12 step-great-grandchildren; four siblings, John (Leona) Bonner, of Swaledale, Janet Suntken, of Colorado Springs, Colo., Karrie (David) Frenz, of Mason City and Edna (Jim) Isaacson, of Woodridge, Ill.; two sisters-in-law, Joan Bonner, of Swaledale and Miriam Jaberg, of Minneapolis; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Beverly; son, Jack Bonner; granddaughter, Lindsay Behr; brother, Tom Bonner; two brothers-in-law, Larry Suntken and Ken Watson; and a sister-in-law, Lucille (Dick) Gaffney.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapels, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.