Bonnie Straight

Bonnie Reeser Straight, 82, of the Pioneer Home in Fergus Falls, MN, died peacefully on February 1st, 2025, at her home in Pioneer.

Bonnie was born on November 17, 1942, in Inglewood California, to James and Evelyn (Ash) Reeser, the oldest of 4 daughters. Always curious and an avid reader, she loved and excelled in school, graduating as the Salutatorian of her 1961 class.

She immediately began her X-Ray training at Lake Region Hospital, graduating as a Radiological Technician in 1963. She applied and was accepted into the Peace Corp. She was sent to Brazil to join the Brazil 6 Peace Corp Project, co-sponsored by the 4-H Foundation thru the MN Extension. Their team's mission was to train parents to be leaders for their communities and to establish & support local 4-H clubs. She returned in 1965 and chose to continue her education at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, where she met Richard Straight, her future husband. They were married in 1966 in Fergus Falls.

For the next few years, they lived in multiple major cities (Dallas, Boston, Chicago, Ann Arbor, Evanston and Virginia Beach) pursuing education, employment and opportunities. In 1992 they felt God's calling to 'do more', so they made some inquiries, and found their calling as Volunteers in Klaipeda, Lithuania, teaching English at the Vilnius University Language Institute. During this time Bonnie led the charge for the Language Institute, seeking to become an accredited Christian University. This was a huge undertaking and a great success. Now that they were a university, all teachers had to have their college degree, so Bonnie and Rich found other jobs in Klaipeda (not satisfying). They came back to the states, to Virginia Beach, for more education. In the early 2000's Bonnie started classes for her MBA but was persuaded to get her PhD instead. In 2005 she graduated from Regent University with a Doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership. From 2005-2008 she Chaired the Business Department at LCC, the Lithuanian Christian College, specializing in International Business. After she finished her thesis, she also taught two online classes for Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana.

Because of health issues they felt they needed to return to the states. Settling in Fergus Falls, they found their church home and a house of their own. There were continued health issues which in 2012 landed them at Pioneer...their home for the last 8 years.

Bonnie was gifted with a great mind, but also a creative, compassionate and caring spirit. She designed and hand stitched several quilts. Cutting out all the pieces of each square, she'd put them in separate baggies so as she traveled, she could take out her pieces and 'quilt'! She was a member of a Poetry Writing group and a Reading cluster, played cards and games on her computer, and for a short time wrote of her experiences in Lithuania for the Pioneer Gazette.

Making her own dyes from nature, she dyed her yarn to created multiple hangings. She designed watercolor maps of our property landscapes, made dried flower designs for stationary & decorations, seeing beauty in everything around her. And even when she didn't have an appetite, she always had room for ice cream!

She loved all those she met, seeing only the good and the potential. She loved and was loved in return. Her deep love of God was her guiding light.

Preceding her in death were her parents Jim and Evelyn Reeser, her husband Rich, and brother-in-law Murle Dossett.

Survivors include her sisters; "Kelly" Dossett of Anderson IN, "Kitty" (Paul) Rund of Fergus Falls MN and "Lee" (Lee) Meyers of Deer Creek MN, brother-in-law Ron (Jennie) Straight of Hays KS; Nieces and nephews; Heidi Seibert of Woodbury MN, Todd (Robin) Hultman of Anderson IN, Jason (Julie) Rund of Fergus Falls MN, Kirsten (Tony) Mullins of Columbus IN, Mira (Kurt) Manselle of Banner WY, Darin (Jessica) Meyers of Deer Creek MN, Meghan (Lee) Syndergaard of Minnetrista MN, Dane (Alycia) Straight of Lindsborg KS, Brett Straight of Gorham KS, a very special family in Lithuania, Vaidas and Gina Levickis and their girls; and many great nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Blessed be the memory of Bonnie Jean Reeser Straight

Memorial service is being planned for a later date.

Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls.

Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com