Obituary
Les Bohnen
Les Bohnen, 73, of Onalaska, WI passed into the Kingdom of Heaven to join his parents, brother, and other loved ones on Tuesday, September 6th. He is survived by his wife, Kate, his son, Shane (Jaimala), his brother, Byron (Barb), stepsons, Tony (Kim) and Jay, and grandchildren, Connor and Cameron. He was surrounded by loved ones at the time of his passing.
Les was born and raised in Winona, MN – to parents, Victor and Elna (Feine), the youngest of three boys. He graduated from Winona High School and Winona State University, pursuing a career as a regional store manager with the K-Mart Corp. that brought him to Michigan and Kansas – before discovering his interest and passion for working with Computers – which he pursued in the Twin Cities area up to his Retirement. Les and Kate moved to Onalaska in 2013.
A man with a curious mind and sense of humor, Les enjoyed the complex to the mundane. He wanted to perfect his short game in golf, swim the ocean, bike the Mississippi River Valley, get dusty in the desert of Arizona, watch 007 save the world, peering for hummingbirds, hunt up the perfect BBQ sauce and spend time with his high school sweetheart and eventual bride, Kate as they traveled the world and explored all that drove their mutual interests. A duomo in Italy. A coffee in France. A bullfight in Spain. Morning walks on the beaches of Hawaii.
While his health presented challenges in recent years, Les moved bravely forward with a smile, and found solace and comfort in the climate of winter while in Mesa, AZ, where he was most at peace, both mentally and physically. His Happy Place.
The family would like to give a special THANKS for the 3rd Floor staff at the Mayo Clinic Health System – Sparta Hospital, who exhibited tremendous care, kindness, concern and support over the last few weeks while Les was working through his rehabilitation for his broken hip.
Thank you for your love and support and for joining us to honor and celebrate our husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend.
Kate & Family…
Please accept our sincere and heartfelt sympathies on Your loss. We know that our Dear Friend Les will live on each and every day in our thoughts and Prayers knowing His battle has come to a well deserved completion. Both Deb and I were given a great gift, the day You and Les came into our lives and are very thankful for the day!
Our Prayers continue for You, Kate & the entire Bohnen Family. Please know that we are here for You as You see fit and besides…we are only a few steps away.
Omg Kate! We are SO sorry to hear that Les has passed. Our sincere and heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. Our hearts are heavy ?Love, Tom and Mary
We will miss our dear friend “Lester” so very much and we’ were blessed to call him a special friend. We enjoyed so many good times together in Mesa playing games, going out for dinners and dances and little excursions, so many laughs together. We will always smile when we remember ‘ Pikes Peak”. Rest In Peace Les! Kate we love you dearly! ❤️
Kate and family, you all have our heartfelt sympathy. I know it is a huge loss for the family now but just know that Les is no longer in pain and he can rest peacefully in heaven. We miss you too Kate. RIP Les and we pray you be pain free. Hugs to the families. Dawn & Ike Wilkins
When Kate brought Les to Clear Lake, Iowa to join our group for the Buddy Holly Tribute, he gamely joined us in our hike to the crash site, trudging through the snow in below zero weather handsome in his leather jacket and sunglasses- we knew he would be our “buddy” forever. We were blessed with years with Les and Kate sharing music, canoe excursions, foreign travels, happy hours , fish fries, New Year’s Eve celebrations, car shows ( using the “ Lester scale to rate back seats).! He and our Buddy Jer always injected humor and wit to conversations that often required Terry to serve as “interpreter” (what my client meant to say,…). All such cherished times filled with laughter and Les’ spirit that are sustaining, treasured and in our very being.
It will not Fade Away.
We love you Les and Kate
Kate and family, thinking of you with heartfelt sympathy. Diane Helke
Kate and family, we are so sorry for your loss…our loss.
Les was such a joy to be around. We’ll never forget our day at the beach this last Christmas. Les struggled but did not complain. He approached it all with humor, soaking up the sun. “No, Kate, I will not put sunscreen on”.
Love to you all,
Dave and Sandy
What a beautiful picture of Les. Les was always smiling when he saw us, whether, he was feeling well or not. We will miss him in Arizona. You Kate are in my prayers. Hang on to all the wonderful memories, and take one day at a time. Love and Hugs your friend Sharon and Ron. ?
Kate sorry for your loss.
Mike
Kate,
So sorry to hear about Les. We enjoyed the time we spent with both of you on the lawn bowling green in Mesa and at the dances. He was a special person and although the last year we didn’t get to see him as often, he always had a smile when he came down to the greens. He will missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Cheryl & Terry
Dave and I were so sad to hear of Les’s passing. We remembered him as being kind and having a great sense of humor! May he Rest In Peace.
Dave Johnson and Jaci Pfaff
Kate, Shane, Jaimala and Family, we are very sorry for your loss. I had not the chance to meet Les but I am sure that he was a lovelly and appasionate parent for all of you.
plase accept my personal and my wife, Marilena, condolances. Rest In Pace Les!