Donald “Don” Bohnhoff, 82, New England, ND, died Sunday, March 16, 2008 at West River Health Services in Hettinger, ND. Don’s funeral service will be at 2 pm, Friday, March 21, 2008 at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, New England with Rev. Bruce Peterson officiating. Interment will follow at the Rainy Butte Cemetery with military honor provided by the New England American Legion, Anton Ulijohn Post 66. Visitation will be from 8 am to 9 pm, Wednesday, and from 8 am to 5 pm, Thursday at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson. There will be a prayer service at 4 pm, Thursday at Ladbury Funeral Service. Visitation will continue at the church from 1 pm to service time on Friday.
Donald Elroy Bohnhoff, son of Louis and Louisa (Yackey) Bohnhoff was born September 9, 1925 on the family farm south of New England. After graduation from New England High School in 1943, he farmed with his brother Laverne on the family farm. He served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps in the U.S., Africa, and Europe from March 1945 to October 1946.
He married Margret Ann Erickson at Rainy Butte Lutheran Church on October 5, 1952. After their marriage they lived on the Art Hegge farm south of New England until the fall of 1956. They then moved the W.G. Marr farm; which they later bought, and made their permanent home. Over the years they made various improvements to the farmstead, the highlight being a new home in 1967. Don farmed his entire lifetime until the later years when his sons, Sheldon and Robert took over the operation.
Don served for many years as a director on the board for Farmers Equity Elevator of New England, and Southwest Grain Cooperative of Gladstone. He also served as a board member for Strehlow Township, and the New England Rural Fire Department. He was a longtime member of the American Legion, Fraternal Order of Elks, and Senior Citizens.
Don was baptized at St. John’s German Lutheran Church of New England. He was confirmed at Rainy Butte Lutheran Church where he and his family were members; and where he served on the church council and as treasurer. After Rainy Butte closed, the Bohnhoff’s joined Our Redeemer’s Lutheran in New England.
Don was an outdoor person. He loved to hunt and fish. As a young boy he would walk the creek catching ducks to help feed the family. He hunted rabbits and pheasants. He also ran a trap line before and after school and continued this for many years He hunted antelope and deer and went elk hunting in Montana. The family loved to camp and fish in North Dakota, as well as the Black Hills, and Yellowstone National Park. Later, he and his sons enjoyed fishing in Canada for many years. He also loved to snowmobile and ride his four-wheeler.
Don loved to travel, and he and Margret visited all 50 states, made a trip to Europe and took a cruise to the Caribbean and Alaska. He enjoyed bowling for many years as a member of the Farmers Equity team. Don was an active bidder and socializer at auction sales around the area. He and Margret loved joining friends for coffee and card playing. Don and his sons collected antique tractors and engines, which took him to many auctions and shows in other states.
Don leaves to mourn his loving wife of 55 years, Margret; sons Darrell (Carolyn), Robert (Lori), Sheldon, and daughter Shari Bohnhoff; grandsons Aaron Van Stone and Brian Bohnhoff; many nieces, nephews, cousins; and a host of friends. Preceding him in death were his parents Louis & Louisa; brothers Harris and Laverne; sisters Dorothy Gullickson, Lola Strom, Violet Bohnhoff; and nephews Russell Bohnhoff and Clyde Gullickson.
