Bonita Catherine Wehmhoff

Bonita Catherine Wehmhoff (Bottema) was born January 26th, 1939. She was welcomed into the world in her family’s farmhouse in Adams, Minnesota. She spent much of her childhood in southeast Minnesota and has fond memories of growing up in Rose Creek. She was very close to her seven siblings and especially loved school. She also loved picnics, biking and swinging in the summers, sledding and ice skating in the winters. From a young age Bonita developed a strong faith in God and found a lifelong home in the Catholic Church.

She was working at International Milling in downtown Minneapolis when she met her future husband, James Wehmhoff on New Year’s Eve 1964. They married 10 months later in Big Lake, MN on October 10, 1964. He fondly referred to her as “Neet”. They spent most of their 57 years together in Plymouth, Minnesota and were blessed with five children, 10 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.

She poured her heart into raising and nurturing her growing children as her life’s main work. Throughout the years she was also driven to care in other ways including teaching religious education classes, acting as editor of the St. Joseph the Worker newsletter, serving communion, learning massage therapy, and working as a caregiver for the elderly. To feed her love for gift giving, she also worked many years in retail and particularly enjoyed outfitting the grandkids to the nines. Impressively, Bonita went back to school in her sixth decade and earned an associate's degree in chemical dependency counseling in 1999.

Her husband’s and brothers’ service in the armed forces strengthened her patriotism and unwavering respect for her country and honoring veterans. The Fourth of July was always a big celebration for her family at the cabin.

Bonita will be remembered for her kindness and generosity, sage advice, surrounding herself in twinkly lights, and keeping a mix of holiday decorations up year-round. She was steadfast in her value system rooted in her Catholic faith, with special regard for praying the rosary and living life by The Golden Rule. You could always count on her for a strong cup of coffee, a quick-witted retort, and a sweet treat.

Bonita died peacefully October 13th, 2026, at the age of 87. She was preceded in death by her husband James; parents, John and Cecilia Bottema; siblings: Robert Bottema, John Bottema, Dorothy (Marsen) Barthel, Margaret (Kenneth) Zachman, Anne Frischmon, Joe Bottema, and sister-in-law Regina Bottema. She is survived by her brother William (Linda) Bottema, brother-in-law Phil Frischmon; children Thomas (Rochelle) Wehmhoff, Janet (Joseph) Rein, Michael (Jess) Wehmhoff, Daniel Wehmhoff, and Susan (Neil) Johnson; grandchildren: Erika (Alex King) Wehmhoff, David (fiancée Calley) Wehmhoff, Allison Rein, Pete Wehmhoff, Dominic Wehmhoff, Lainie Wehmhoff, Elliana Wehmhoff, Adele Johnson, Cody Wehmhoff, and Josephine Johnson; Great-Grandchildren Juniper and Everett King.

If you are interested in honoring Bonita, she was touched by stories Janet (an educator) told of students that might need help affording school supplies or winter clothing, and she was notorious for going all out at Christmas time. Donating to your local school, GiveCoats.org, or Toys for Tots may be a special way to keep her Christmas spirit alive. James and Bonita were also long time donors to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Memorials received will be donated to Toys for Tots this holiday season.

Mass of Christian Burial Friday, October 23, 2026, at 11 am with visitation 1 hour prior to mass at Holy Name of Jesus 155 County Road 24, Wayzata. Entombment at Gethsemane Mausoleum immediately following the luncheon. Visitation Thursday, October 22, 2026, 4-7 pm with memorial sharing at 6 pm at Gearty-Delmore Chapel, 15800 37th Ave N @ Vicksburg Lane. Please join us for additional sharing opportunities at Rock Elm Revival 16605 County Road 24 from 7-10 pm following the visitation.