Lillian Bonsness, 79, Minot, formerly of rural Columbus, ND, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 8, 2016, with her loving family by her side, in a Minot hospital.

Lillian was born October 3, 1936, near Wildrose, North Dakota to Tomas and Sophie (Setviet) Lindseth. She was raised and educated in Upland Township of Divide County, completing her education at Crosby High School with the graduating class of 1954.

Lillian was united in marriage to Delwin Bonsness June 13, 1954, in Fortuna, ND. They made their home on a farm in Shortcreek Township of Burke County, near Columbus, ND for the next 37 years, where they grew small grains and maintained a cattle operation. Also during this time Lillian helped at the Bonsness Coal Mine as a scale operator and as a caregiver for LeRoy Bonsness, in his later years. In addition to her daily duties on the farm, Lillian provided a loving home for her growing family blessed with five children.

Lillian and Delwin moved to Minot in 1996. They have spent winters in Arizona for nearly thirty years. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Columbus and currently attended Bread of Life Lutheran Church in Minot.

Lillian enjoyed sewing and reading in her spare time. She loved to travel and enjoyed dancing. Lillian was a loving wife and mother who enjoyed spoiling both her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be missed by all who shared in her life.

Her surviving family includes her loving husband of 61 years, Delwin Bonsness, Minot; children, Terri (Charlie Dodd) Bonsness, Minot, ND, Rockne (Julie) Bonsness, Hazen, ND, Kirk Bonsness, Center, ND, Peni (Rodney) Christianson, Bismarck, ND and Lisa (Lynn) Watterud, Columbus, ND; grandchildren: Kelly (Keith) Erhardt, Sammy (Michael) Henke, Zack (Mariah) Bonsness, Erica Bonsness, Brittany (Rocky Bullinger) Bonsness, Anna Bonsness, Emily (Ryan) Hopper, Katie (Tim Llewellyn) Watterud, Mark and Brooke Watterud, Tasha (Christoper) Hauf, Shawn (Eliza) Dodd, Abbie (Eric) Jennings, Hollie (Jeb) Hoffman, Heidi (Ethan) Grover; great-grandchildren, Eva Erhardt, Melissa, Ashley, Cori and Marlee Jennings, Lillie and Parker Hoffman, Charlie Grover, Shawn and Lanie Llwellyn, Alivia and Brynna Hopper, Gwen, Christopher Hauf, Sophia Watterud and sister, Goodie (Melvin) Norby, Great-Falls, MT

Lillian was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Ann Morrison and brothers, Hans, John, Jens, Ted and Elling Lindseth.

Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 11, 2016 at Bread of Life Lutheran Church, Minot.

Interment: Grandview Cemetery, Rural Columbus, ND at a later date in 2016

Visitation: Sunday, April 10, 2016 from Noon to 4:00 p.m. in the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Memorials : In lieu of plants and flowers, memorials are preferred to Trinity Lutheran Church/Grandview Cemetery Fund Columbus, ND, 58727.