Obituary of Dorothy Anna Bonitz

Bonitz, 

Dorothy Anna 

Age 93, a resident of Maplewood, entered eternal life on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at The Shores of Lake Phalen Assisted Living Facility. 

Dorothy was born on March 5, 1929, in St. Paul to Erhardt and Anna (nee Dick) Stabenow. She grew up on her parents’ farm on Bailey Road in Afton Township, being baptized and confirmed in her faith at Salem Ev. Lutheran Church in Woodbury. She attended the local country elementary school. After graduating from Harding High School/St. Paul in 1947, she worked in an optometrist’s office in downtown St. Paul. 

On August 21, 1948, Dorothy married Walter Bonitz. Their marriage was blessed with two children, David and Cheryl. They lived in St. Paul where Walter was principal of St. John’s Lutheran School until 1964. For the next five years the family lived in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin because Walter had taken a position there to be principal of Zion Lutheran School. Dorothy helped out with many school-related jobs like volunteering as a hot lunch lady, helping in the school office and serving many delicious meals for school faculty get togethers. 

Upon returning to St. Paul in 1969, Dorothy was soon employed by St. John’s Hospital to work in the kitchen, specifically becoming a dietary supervisor. In time she was asked to be in charge of catering for all of St. John’s Hospital’s special events. 

Taking early retirement in the 1980s allowed her more time for being the excellent homemaker and caregiver that she was and for doing handiwork like sewing, crocheting, cross stitch and hardanger that she so loved. 

Dorothy was indeed a blessing to those who knew her, but especially to her family. 

She was preceded in death by her husband of almost 73 years, Walter. She is survived by son, David (Sandy) Bonitz; daughter, Cheryl (Edward) Holzhueter; granddaughter, Erin (Kyle) Riess; and great-grandchildren, Katherine, Benjamin, Lucille, and Eleanor. 

Funeral Service at 11 AM on Friday, December 30, 2022 at Christ Lutheran Church (2475 17th Av. E, No. St. Paul) with visitation one hour prior. Interment Evergreen Memorial Gardens, Mahtomedi.