Bonnie Jean Lewer

BONNIE JEAN LEWER, age 100, a lifelong resident of Waseca, passed away on Friday, December 5, 2025, at Lakeshore Inn Rehabilitation Center.

Bonnie was born on February 17, 1925, in Mankato, the daughter of Louis and Lillian (Schleusner) Lewis. She attended Waseca Central High School, graduating with the class of 1943. On May 7, 1950, she was united in marriage to Lawrence Lewer at St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca. Together they shared 54 years of marriage and raised one son before Lawrence’s passing on August 31, 2004.

Following high school, Bonnie worked briefly at EF Johnson before dedicating her life to raising her son and working alongside her husband as they owned and operated the Coast to Coast Hardware Store. She was known as a great cook and enjoyed playing ball with her grandsons, gardening, and tending flowers at the cemetery. Bonnie took pride in her yard work and, with her characteristic determination, shoveled her own driveway until the age of 97. She was famously known for walking wherever she needed to go around town, embodying her independence and strength.

Bonnie was a devoted member of St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca, where she taught Sunday school for many years, assisted with bulletins, visited shut-ins, and participated in the quilting group. She gave generously of her time, volunteering with Meals on Wheels for nearly 50 years, helping at the Art Center, and serving her community in countless ways. She also enjoyed reading and cherished time spent with her family. Bonnie will be remembered as caring, hardworking, dedicated, generous, and deeply faithful.

She is survived by her son, Larry (Lana) Lewer of Coon Rapids; grandsons, Zachary Lewer and Jacob (fiancé, Alyssa) Lewer; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence; grandson, Samuel Lewer; and siblings, Marjorie Deef, Betty Caya, and Donald Lewis.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 PM on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at the Third Street Chapel of Dennis-Steffel-Omtvedt Funeral and Cremation Service in Waseca. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.

Funeral Service will be at 11:00 AM on Friday, December 19, 2025, at St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca. Interment will follow at Woodville Cemetery.

Memorials are preferred to St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca.