Fred Allen Bon

Fred Allen Bon, 81, Steele, ND, died peacefully at St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck on March 22, 2013, with his son, Tom, at his side. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 11:00 AM at Bethany Lutheran Church in Robinson with Rev. Valerie Kinlan and Rev. Jacob DeBoer officiating. Burial will be at Bethany Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at Eastgate Steele Chapel and will continue on Wednesday one hour prior to the service at the church. Fred was born on January 17, 1932, in Woodworth, ND, to Arthur and Mabel Robbins Bon. He was their second child and only son. Fred grew up on the family farm south of Robinson. He and his sister, Mary, shared a close bond and a love of the farm. They took turns staying home from school to put in the crop when their parents were in poor health. Fred attended Quinby Township Country School during his younger elementary school years and graduated from Robinson High School in 1949. He briefly attended NDSU and then returned to fulltime farming. He married Emma Lou Dietsch of Pingree, ND, on June 13, 1954. Together they shared the joys and trials of life until her death on May 18, 1997. Fred and Emma Lou had four children: Thomas, Nicolett, Charles, and Carolyn. They moved to Steele, ND, in 1989, where Fred, a self-taught businessman, served as chairman of Northland Financial for many years and was currently serving as chairman of First and Farmers Bank in Mayville/Portland, ND. In addition to his banking career, Fred enjoyed going out to the farm to work almost every day. When asked what he did for a living, he always identified himself first as a farmer. Fred married Alice Knuth Grove on April 5, 2003, in Steele, ND. They enjoyed nearly ten happy years together. Fred is survived by his wife, Alice of Steele, ND; his son, Thomas Bon of Fargo, ND; his daughter, Nicolett Earl Darling of Kersey, CO, grandson, Adam Nicole Darling, great-grandson, Brady Allen Darling, and granddaughter, Shannon Darling; his son, Charles Jean Bon of Robinson, ND, granddaughter, Laura Zelwyn Heide, great-grandson, John Heide, grandsons, Matthew and Michael Bon; and daughter, Carolyn Ben Koski of Schofield, WI. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Mabel Bon; his sister, Mary Subart; and his first wife, Emma Lou Bon.

Fred Allen Bon

January 17, 1932 - March 22, 2013