Bonnie Straight

Bonnie Reeser Straight, 82, died peacefully on February 1st, 2025, at the Pioneer Home in Fergus Falls, MN.

Bonnie was born on November 17, 1942, in Inglewood California, to James and Evelyn (Ash) Reeser, the oldest of 4 daughters. Always curious and an avid reader, she loved and excelled in school, graduating as the Salutatorian of her 1961 class.

The week after graduation, she began her X-Ray training at Lake Region Hospital, graduating as a Radiological Technician (RT) in 1963. That spring, she applied to be a volunteer for the Peace Corps. Her application was approved, and shortly after RT graduation, was sent to Brazil to join the Brazil 6 Peace Corps Project, co-sponsored by the 4-H Foundation thru the MN Extension. Their team's mission was to train parents to be leaders for their communities and to establish & support local 4-H clubs. She returned in 1965 and chose to continue her education at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, where she met Richard Straight, her future husband. They were married in 1966 in Fergus Falls.

For the next few years, they lived in multiple major cities (Dallas, Boston, Chicago, Ann Arbor, Evanston and Virginia Beach) pursuing education, employment and opportunities. In 1992 they felt God's calling to 'do more', so they made some inquiries, and found their calling as Volunteers in Klaipeda, Lithuania, teaching English at the Vilnius Language Institute. The institute leadership wanted to become recognized as a University, so Bonnie, working with the Institute leadership, sought and became an accredited Christian University. This was a huge undertaking and a great success.

Now that LCC was a university, all teachers had to have a college degree, so Bonnie and Rich found other jobs in Klaipeda (not satisfying). They came back to the states, to Virginia Beach, for more education. In the early 2000's Bonnie started classes for her MBA but was persuaded to get her PhD instead. In 2005 she graduated from Regent University with a Doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership. From 2005-2008 she Chaired the Business Department at LCC, the Lithuanian Christian College, specializing in International Business. She later taught two online classes for Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana, and upon returning to the states, for a few years, she continued on-line teaching.

In 2008, because of health issues Bonnie & Rich returned to the states. Settling in Fergus Falls, they found their church home and a house of their own. There were continued health issues which in 2012 landed them at Pioneer...their home for the last 8 years.

Bonnie was gifted with a great mind, and also a creative, compassionate and caring spirit. She designed and hand stitched several quilts. Cutting out all the pieces of each square, she'd put them in separate baggies so as she traveled, she could take out her pieces and 'quilt'! She was a member of a Poetry Writing group and a Reading cluster, played cards and games on her computer, and for a short time wrote of her experiences in Lithuania for the Pioneer Gazette.

Making her own dyes from nature, she dyed her own yarn and created multiple hangings. She designed watercolor maps of family landscapes, made dried flower designs for stationary & decorations, seeing beauty in everything around her.

As her health declined, she often didn't have an appetite, but she always had room for ice cream!

She loved all those she met, seeing only the good and the potential. She loved and was loved in return. Her deep love of God was her guiding light.

Preceding her in death were her parents Jim and Evelyn Reeser, her husband Rich, and brother-in-law Murle Dossett.

Survivors include her sisters; "Kelly" Dossett of Anderson IN, "Kitty" (Paul) Rund of Fergus Falls MN and "Lee" (Lee) Meyers of Deer Creek MN, brother-in-law Ron (Jennie) Straight of Hays KS; Nieces and nephews; Heidi Seibert of Woodbury MN, Todd (Robin) Hultman of Anderson IN, Jason (Julie) Rund of Fergus Falls MN, Kirsten (Tony) Mullins of Columbus IN, Mira (Kurt) Manselle of Banner WY, Darin (Jessica) Meyers of Deer Creek MN, Meghan (Lee) Syndergaard of Minnetrista MN, Dane (Alycia) Straight of Lindsborg KS, Brett Straight of Gorham KS, a very special family in Lithuania, Vaidas and Gina Levickis and their girls; and many great nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Blessed be the memory of Bonnie Jean Reeser Straight

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 14, 2025 at Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church, Fergus Falls with a visitation one-hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Lawrence Presbyterian Cemetery.

Assistance provided by Olson Funeral and Cremation, Fergus Falls, MN.

Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com