Obituary for Mary Jane Kluesner (Bonoff)
Mary Bonoff Kluesner of Edina, MN died on November 29, 2022 at TowerLight Senior Living, in Saint Louis Park, MN. Mass of Christian burial will be held at Tuesday 10:30 am December 6, 2022 at Our Lady of Grace Church,5071 Eden Ave Edina, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to the Mass. Private interment Lakewood Cemetery.
Mary was the youngest of three daughters born to Sam and Florence (Blonigan) Bonoff in Osage, Iowa on October 2, 1934. Mary graduated from Osage High School June 1952. Mary attended Iowa State University and graduated in May 1956. It was at ISU where she met and fell in love with Virgil (Al) Kluesner of Dubuque, Iowa. Al and Mary were united in marriage on August 18, 1956 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Osage, Iowa. In addition to raising 4 children Mary dedicated time to community activism, political advocacy and volunteer work in her children’s schools. Following the deaths of their children Amy (1985) and Michael (1997), Mary and Al helped to form a grassroots, non-profit organization, SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education). Many of SAVE’s programs and campaigns were developed by volunteers under Mary’s leadership. Mary enjoyed travel, playing bridge and any activity her children and grandchildren were involved in. Later in retirement Al and Mary would enjoy time in Mexico, Florida and Tuscany, Italy. In 2004 Mary was inducted as a member of the Osage High School Distinguished Alumni. Mary became very interested in writing both to deal with the loss of her children and to document her Iowa family history. She particularly enjoyed friendships made at The Loft Literary Center. In 2015 Mary authored a self-published memoir, “A Rearview Mirror” (available on Amazon).
Mary is preceded in death by her children Michael and Amy; sister Luella Bonoff; and her parents Sam and Florence.
She is survived by her loving husband Al; sons Kevin (Amy) and Philip (Ginny); grandchildren Paul (Missy), Jack (Kathleen), Grace (Tommy) Bertucci, Tess (Blake) Gregg and Bridget; great-grandchildren Rose, Grace, John, Emma, Jack and Braylon; sister Dorothy Niess and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to SAVE, Minneapolis, MN or Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Edina, MN.
Mary was the youngest of three daughters born to Sam and Florence (Blonigan) Bonoff in Osage, Iowa on October 2, 1934. Mary graduated from Osage High School June 1952. Mary attended Iowa State University and graduated in May 1956. It was at ISU where she met and fell in love with Virgil (Al) Kluesner of Dubuque, Iowa. Al and Mary were united in marriage on August 18, 1956 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Osage, Iowa. In addition to raising 4 children Mary dedicated time to community activism, political advocacy and volunteer work in her children’s schools. Following the deaths of their children Amy (1985) and Michael (1997), Mary and Al helped to form a grassroots, non-profit organization, SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education). Many of SAVE’s programs and campaigns were developed by volunteers under Mary’s leadership. Mary enjoyed travel, playing bridge and any activity her children and grandchildren were involved in. Later in retirement Al and Mary would enjoy time in Mexico, Florida and Tuscany, Italy. In 2004 Mary was inducted as a member of the Osage High School Distinguished Alumni. Mary became very interested in writing both to deal with the loss of her children and to document her Iowa family history. She particularly enjoyed friendships made at The Loft Literary Center. In 2015 Mary authored a self-published memoir, “A Rearview Mirror” (available on Amazon).
Mary is preceded in death by her children Michael and Amy; sister Luella Bonoff; and her parents Sam and Florence.
She is survived by her loving husband Al; sons Kevin (Amy) and Philip (Ginny); grandchildren Paul (Missy), Jack (Kathleen), Grace (Tommy) Bertucci, Tess (Blake) Gregg and Bridget; great-grandchildren Rose, Grace, John, Emma, Jack and Braylon; sister Dorothy Niess and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to SAVE, Minneapolis, MN or Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Edina, MN.