Norman Bonde

Beloved husband, dad, grand-dad, brother and friend, Norman Lee Bonde joined his Lord and Savior and re-united with his wife in his heavenly home peacefully on July 28th, aged 85, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Henry Bonde and Rachel (Spangler) Bonde gave birth to Norman on August 27th, 1939 at the hospital in Arnold, Nebraska.

Norman graduated valedictorian from Callaway High School in 1957 and received from Kearney State College: BS Biology Major and Military Science Minor in 1964; BA Secondary Endorsement in Biology and Business in 1971;MEd Specialization in School Principalship 1975; and an Educational Specialist Degree in 1979. Norman served 4 years in the US Army ROTC program and 2 years as 2nd Lieutenant in US Army Chemical Corps; farmed 16 years near Callaway, Nebraska; taught 7 years at Oconto Public Schools and 1 year at Oakland-Craig Public Schools; served as school principal from 1975 to 1994 and superintendent 1979 to 1997 for Oconto, Oakland-Craig, McCool Junction,Campbell, and Brady Public Schools. Norman lead Boy Scouts in Callaway and belonged to the Masons and American Legion.

Beloved husband, dad, grand-dad, brother and friend, Norman Lee Bonde joined his Lord and Savior and re-united with his wife in his heavenly home peacefully on July 28th, aged 85, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Henry Bonde and Rachel (Spangler) Bonde gave birth to Norman on August 27th, 1939 at the hospital in Arnold, Nebraska.

Norman graduated valedictorian from Callaway High School in 1957 and received from Kearney State College: BS Biology Major and Military Science Minor in 1964; BA Secondary Endorsement in Biology and Business in 1971;MEd Specialization in School Principalship 1975; and an Educational Specialist Degree in 1979. Norman served 4 years in the US Army ROTC program and 2 years as 2nd Lieutenant in US Army Chemical Corps; farmed 16 years near Callaway, Nebraska; taught 7 years at Oconto Public Schools and 1 year at Oakland-Craig Public Schools; served as school principal from 1975 to 1994 and superintendent 1979 to 1998 for Oconto, Oakland-Craig, McCool Junction,Campbell, and Brady Public Schools. Norman lead Boy Scouts in Callaway and belonged to the Masons and American Legion.

Norman married the love of his life, Joyce Haring, on September 29th, 1967. Together, they raised Cindy, Nathan, Cornell, Haili and Micah. Selfless and kind-hearted, Norman lived humbly–always making people feel like they were important. He loved attending family and friends’ activities, whenever possible. Children cherish memories of his grilling, watching St. Louis Cardinal baseball and Husker football games, canoeing, fishing, sledding and traveling everywhere from Florida Everglades to Washington DC and Hawaii. Grandchildren relished the moped rides Norman gave; visiting the railroad yard, museums and zoos; and playing games. His children and grandchildren alike felt captivated watching Grandpa draw and listening to him read and tell stories. Family and friends noted his calming spirit, patience, integrity and valor. His voice crooned in solo, several choirs and a trio with sons Nathan and Cornell and soothed countless souls in prayer. His infectious bell-roll laugh tickled everyone. Norman lead prayer breakfast years at 70 West Church of Christ: his words of wisdom always reflected his Faith, Love of his Savior and depth of character. Norman never hesitated to help a soul. Norman is survived by: his sister Elizabeth Wilhite; brother-in-law Dallas Haring; sister-in-laws Charleen (Haring) Frerichs, Jolean (Dallmann) Haring and Adele Bonde; children, Cindy and Tom Johnson; Nathan and Tonya Bonde; Dr. Cornell and Lisa Bonde; Adam and Dr. Haili (Bonde) Kreifels; Dr. Ryan and Micah (Bonde) Roth; grandchildren Poppy Johnson; Wade and Ashley Johnson; Chase and Ginger Johnson; Vanessa (Bonde) and Alan Hyde; Jonathan and April Bonde; James, Thomas and Joshua Bonde; Zoe, Raima, Isaiah and Hannah Kreifels; Annie and Cameron Roth and great-grandchildren Devin, Olivia, Elle, Herbert,Theo and Franklin Johnson; Carmen, Angelo, Alonzo and Oriana Martinez; Caden, Callie and Luke Hyde; Jason, Nolan and Gavin Bonde; and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Joyce (Haring) Bonde; parents Henry and Rachel Bonde; in-laws Clarence and Clara Haring; brother Dr. Roger Bonde; brother-in-laws Wesley Haring, Dwayne Lambert and Kenneth Frerichs; sister-in-laws Melberta Lambert and Jonnie Haring; nephew Charles Haring and grandson Caleb Bonde.

Visitation shall occur at Smith Family Funeral Homes at 2205 Airport Road in Hot Springs, AR on Thursday, July 31st from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, with remembrances beginning at 7:00 pm. Norman Bonde’s Celebration Service is scheduled for 10:00 am Saturday, August 23rd at the Evangelical Free Church, 1705 I St, Franklin, Nebraska. Committal service will follow at Greenwood Cemetery just outside Franklin, Nebraska. In lieu of flowers, cards may be directed to Nathan Bonde or Micah Roth at 198 River Oaks Dr, Hot Springs, AR 71913. Memorials may be directed to 70 W Church of Christ, in the memo place “Children’s Park.”