Dennis Irven Bonsall, 68, of Burwell, Nebraska died June 20, 2012 at his home.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 23, 2012 at the United Methodist Church in Burwell. Burial will be in Cottonwood Cemetery. Pastor Dennis Davenport will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 – 8 p.m. Friday at Hitchcock Funeral Home in Burwell. Memorials are suggested to Nebraska’s Big Rodeo, Methodist Church or Noah’s Ark Preschool.
Dennis was born October 20, 1943 in Burwell, Nebraska to Henry and Luella (Williams) Bonsall. He graduated from Burwell High School in 1961.
Dennis married DeeDii Chaffin on October 15, 1964 in Burwell. They lived in the Burwell area and ranched. They moved north of Burwell in March of 1968 and started Bonsall Feedlot in 1981. They were later divorced.
Dennis married Renaye Gross Renner on May 22, 1999 in Burwell. In 2000 Dennis added partners in the feedlot and changed the feedlot to Burwell Feeders.
Dennis joined the PRCA in 1972, winning the steer wrestling at the Burwell rodeo in 1985. He was very proud to be a part of rodeo. Dennis was on the Nebraska’s Big Rodeo board for over 35 years, serving as president for six years. He was a PRCA Gold Card member and served on the PRCA Executive Committee. He served on the Garfield County Zoning Board and the District 25 and 100 School Boards. Dennis was an active member of the United Methodist Church.
Dennis is survived by his wife, Renaye Bonsall of Burwell. Three children, Byron Bonsall of San Francisco, California, Lora Bonsall of Lincoln, Nebraska and Brady and Sherri Bonsall of Kearney, Nebraska. Three step-children, Ryan and Rebekah Renner of Ericson, Nebraska, Riley and Angie Renner of Ericson, Nebraska and Rallyn Renner of Elkhorn, Nebraska and ten grandchildren. Three brothers, Bob and Fran Bonsall of DeBerry, Texas, Gaines and Ellen Bonsall of Fremont, Nebraska and Sandie and Muriel Bonsall of Minneola, Kansas.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents.
Today I received a phone call from Rallyn Renner telling me the sad news of the passing of my longtime friend Dennis. Thank you Rallyn for honoring me with the call.
Dennis and I became friends in 1962 when we both left our homes to attend college at LeTourneau College in Longview, Texas. My hometown was Orlando, Florida and I was fascinated with Dennis and his stories of his hometown of Burwell, cattle ranches, open plains and cowboy life. Even then, all Dennis really wanted to do was be a cowboy. A group of us freshmen formed our own,”Band-of-Brothers,” and we enjoyed many adventures during the year of 1962/63. Over the years we lost contact with one another but memories of good time together made us all seek out and find our special friends. Over the years we have all gone separate ways, raised families, pursued careers and moved into retirement BUT, we have never forgotten the bonds that keep us friends throughout the years.
I have always looked forward to getting a photo Christmas card so I could see how my old friend was aging.
It was always pleasing to see he was aging gracefully and had a big smile on his face.
I will miss Dennis. I have enjoyed so much talking with him over the years. He always had time to talk with me even if he was busy at work.
I know you will all miss him and I pray that God will ease your sorrow.
Our heartfelt sympathy,
Bob Ferrell Sr, ( Donald Auchey, Ron Seimens, Xavier Azavedo, Allen Rutburg, Jerry Hall, Walter Romine- “The Band of Brothers.”)
Renaye,
We were sadden to hear of the passing of Dennis. He was such a nice person and John enjoyed visiting with him at the Brockman reunions.
You are in our prayers.
Connie
Renaye; Byron, Laura, and Brady; Robert Jo, Gaines, and Sandie,
We have many memories of Dennis teaching Bob to bulldog and rodeo travels. Bobs talks about school days and past adventures with all you brothers. Our prayers are with you.