Mona Bonham

Mona L. Bonham, age 85, of Willmar, died Monday, October 18, at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 22, at the Church of St. Mary. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery in Willmar. Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Thursday, October 21, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home with a 7:30 p.m. Rosary and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Mona was born on October 15, 1925, in Graceville, MN, the daughter of Stephen and Agnes Bridget (Campion) Leenay. She grew up in Graceville, and was baptized and confirmed at Holy Rosary Church. She graduated from the Graceville High School in 1943, and moved to Minneapolis, where she worked and attended the Minnesota School of Business, graduating in 1945.
In the summer of 1948, she met Richard Calvin "Dick" Bonham of Willmar at a horse show. They were married on September 20, 1949. She worked with her husband and his brothers, Roy and George, in the Willmar Food Supply company from 1949 to 1959. Together with her husband she operated the Bonnie-Lee Saddle Shop and raised, trained, & showed Morgan horses at Bonnie-Lee Farms.
Mona was active in the community. Some of the organizations she served include: North Central Morgan Horse Association, North Star Morgan Horse Show, Kandi Klassic Horse Show Committee, Minnesota Horse Council, Kandiyohi County Fair Association, Kandiyohi County 4-H and FFA, Rainbow Saddle Club and the Willmar Saddle Club, Willmar Kaffe Fest Committee, St. Mary's Catholic Church Choir for 45 years, St. Mary's Church Quilters, St. Mary's Church Finance Committee, Funeral Group, & many others
Mona was awarded many honors during her life, including: NCMA "Honorary Life Member", American Morgan Horse Association "National Masters Certificate" in 1994, Minnesota "Horseperson of the Year" in 1995, Kandiyohi County 4-H 'Friend of 4-H' in 1991, Kandiyohi County FFA Honorary Chapter Degree, Willmar Kaffe Fest Parade Grand Marshall in 1971 and the Bishops' Medal for Meritorius Service in 1992.
She is survived by her children: Ann (and Rick) Thorson of New London, MN, Timothy Bonham of Minneapolis, MN and Phillip Bonham of Webster, MN; one grandchild; four great-grandchildren; a brother: Maurice (and Betty) Leenay of Minneapolis, MN; two sisters-in-law: Donna Leenay of Buffalo, NY and Elizabeth Bonham of Willmar, MN; and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband: Richard in 1988; a brother: Kevin; and three sisters: Jean, Ruth and Kelly.