Bonnie Chan

Bonita (Bonnie) Kay Chan, age 73, of Alexandria, passed away on Sunday, January 11, 2015, surrounded by her loving family, after a courageous 9 year battle with breast cancer. Bonnie was born in Fargo, North Dakota to William and Marion Conrad. Bonnie grew up and was active with the harvest, the dairy herd, and was the “flag girl” for her dad, an aerial crop sprayer, on the family farm in Page, North Dakota. Bonnie attended country school and graduated from Page High School in 1959. She continued her education at Moorhead State College and in 1963, received her teaching license. She taught 4th grade in Amenia, North Dakota and Glenwood, Minnesota.
While in Glenwood, Bonnie shopped at Bob’s Clothes Shop in Alexandria and met her future husband and love of her life, James (Jimmie) F. Chan. They were married at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Fargo, North Dakota. They raised their three children: Jim, Suzanne, and Kate in Alexandria at their lake home. Bonnie had a special place in her heart for special needs students and was employed by Alexandria School District #206 for 25 years as a Paraprofessional and Substitute Teacher.
Bonnie loved spending time with her children, grandchildren: Sam, Kayla, and Nick and extended family and friends. Family gatherings and holidays were especially important to her, as her family and extended family always joined together. Traveling, music, reading, movies, shopping and cruising in her black convertible were among her favorite things to do. She came from a musical family. She sang with three of her sisters in a quartet and with Sweet Adelines for many years. Bonnie was very active in the community as a member of Christian Mothers, Homemakers, Bridge Club, Cub Scout & Girl Scout Leader, on the Lakes Girl Scout Council, Elder Network, volunteer board member of the Douglas County Achievement Center, and a member of the Alexandria Country Club.
Bonnie is survived and will be greatly missed by her husband, Jim of 48 years, son, James Matthew of Alexandria; daughters: Suzanne Elizabeth (Landry) Streich of Alexandria, Kathryn Joann (Jason) Anderson of Lakeville, MN; grandsons: Samuel James & Nicholas David Anderson; granddaughter, Kayla Christine Anderson; sisters: Karyn Chan of Arizona, Susan (Curt) Bring of Rochert, MN, Judy (Steve) Smith of Cottage Grove, MN, Jane Conrad of Minneapolis, MN; brother, James Conrad of Fargo, ND; sister-in-law, Mary Rae Wood of Peoria, AZ; many nieces nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents: William & Marion Conrad; mother & father-in-law: Esther & Bob Chan; grandparents: John & Bernice Conrad, Clarence & Clara Monson; brother-in-laws: John Robert Chan & Richard Wood.
Memorials are preferred to St. Mary’s School Trust Fund and American Cancer Society.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2015, 11:00 AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home. www.andersonfuneral.net