John Bongaarts, 82

John Bongaarts of Delano died Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021. He was 82.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church of St Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Delano. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 30, with a 3:30 p.m. Rosary service and an 8 p.m. prayer service in St. Martha Hall of St. Peter’s campus. Visitation will continue from 10-11 a.m. Wednesday in St. Martha Hall prior to the Mass. The Mass of Christian Burial will be live-streamed on the Iten Funeral Home YouTube page.

John Phillip Bongaarts was born Jan. 14, 1939, in Glencoe to Phillip A. and Josephine (Gehlen) Bongaarts. He was an only son surrounded by five sisters on the family farm. He attended Kimball High School where he played clarinet and was crowned Prom King his senior year.

In his early years, he worked at Univac as a technician, and he sold Conklin products on the side. John and Donna Erickson met on a blind date, married in 1964, and lived in south Minneapolis. He started Wheels Westward in 1976, and moved the family to Delano. He was an active member of Delano’s business community, and still is known as the go-to for people needing RV repairs.

John was a loving husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He enjoyed spending time with family, and he was a thoughtful, friendly spirit who always had time for conversation. He looked forward to his yearly fishing trips to Trout Lake, family camping trips, and he loved to play 500 and read. John was an active member of St. Peter’s Church and Cursillo; his faith was an important part of his life.

After Donna died, John met Judy Waddell and they married in 2012. As a couple, they enjoyed trips to Florida, Arizona, and Branson, Mo. They spent many nights with friends and family playing their favorite game, Pegs and Jokers.

John was preceded in death by his wife Donna; stepson Kenneth Waddell; stepson-in-law Joe Kvasnicka; his parents; sisters Phillis (and Francis) Bruns, Beatrice (and Robert) Kurkowski, Bernice (and Joe) Masberg, and Mary Jo (and Francis) Logeais.

He is survived by his wife Judy Waddell; children Rebecca (and Dan) Saad, Phillip (and Kristi) Bongaarts, Karen (and Shannon) Dullum, and Sheri Bongaarts; stepdaughters Kim Curtis, Kelly Higgins, and Kari Kvansicka; 11 grandchildren and seven step-grandchildren; and sister Janice (and Jim) Dircks.

Arrangements are with the Iten Funeral Home in Delano.