Gordon L. Bonine

Gordon L. Bonine, age 73 of Cottage Grove passed away peacefully on May 7, 2024. 

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 15th from 2 PM to 4 PM at Hope Lutheran Church, 16898 Michael Ave; Hastings, MN.

Gordon was born on April 14, 1951 to Gordon and Mabel Bonine in St Paul, Minnesota.

Gordon joined the Marines at the age of 17 and received an honorable medical discharge due to kidney failure that eventually required a kidney transplant at the age of 21.

Gordon married the love of his life, Sheila (nee Joyce), moved to Cottage Grove and raised two sons, Jason and Chad.

After receiving the transplant, Gordon took his doctor’s orders very seriously and maintained the kidney for 51 years. 40 years beyond the average. While Gordon struggled with his health throughout his life, he never let it stop him from enjoying it. He played tennis, racked up the miles on his bicycle, and boated and waterskied on Sugar Lake.

Gordon also loved being a part of the Classic Car Show culture. He restored his prized SS-396, Nantucket blue, ‘67 Chevelle with meticulous care and attention to detail, winning him multiple trophies over of the years. On weekends you could find him cruising through the countryside with other Classic Car aficionados.

Gordon is preceded in death by his mother Mabel, father Gordon, brother Dan and brother-in-law David Kurth. Also preceded in death by Sheila’s parents Patrick and Leona Joyce.

He is survived by wife Sheila, son Jason and his wife Nicole, son Chad and his wife Katherine, and 3 of the grandest of Grandchildren, Harrison, Harper and Hannah Bonine.

Also survived by his sister Joy Kurth, brothers Mike and his wife Lori, Jerry and his wife Linda, and sister-in-law Lynn Bonine.

To quote Jeremy Laszlo, “Who are we but a collection of the people we’ve known and the paths we have followed.”

Gordon we’ve known you long and loved you well.

In Leu of Flowers, family prefers donations to be directed to Cars4Heroes.org