Collection: FND001 - SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Series:
Tribute
Folder:
DIG
Item:
271904
Title:
Bonita K. Pazdernik
Date:
12/16/1947-10/14/2025
Creator:
Inscription/Marks:
12/16/1947
Summary:
Bonita “Bonnie” Kathryn (Doll) Pazdernik, 77, of New Salem, ND, passed away on October 14, 2025, surrounded by family. Funeral Mass was held October 21, 2025, at St. Pius V Catholic Church, New Salem. Burial will follow at St. Pius V Cemetery. Surrounded by those she cherished most, she left this world peacefully, her presence still felt in the warmth and kindness she shared throughout her life. Bonnie’s passing leaves a deep ache in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.
Bonnie Doll was born December 16, 1947, in Mandan, ND, to Joseph and Helen (Zander) Doll. She grew up on a family farm, located 2 miles northwest of Sweet Briar Lake, ND. She attended country school until seventh grade, then went to New Salem each year except for her sophomore year, which was spent at the Annunciation Priory in Bismarck. While her dad hoped she would become a nun, Bonnie chose a different path and returned to New Salem, graduating from high school in 1965. After graduation, she attended business school at NDSCS in Wahpeton, ND, during the summer. It was there she met James Pazdernik while he was driving his ‘57 Ford Retractable Hardtop convertible car. She worked as a nurse’s aide at St. Alexius Hospital in Bismarck for one year prior to their marriage on June 27, 1966.
The couple made their first home in Breckenridge, MN, where their first two sons and only daughter were born. They moved to a farm northeast of Sweet Briar Lake in the fall of 1971, where two additional sons joined the family. This is where they built their life and raised their family. Bonnie helped on the farm wherever needed, whether that was hauling sunflowers at harvest, working summer fallow, running for parts, or moving equipment, among many other things. After the two youngest sons were in high school, Bonnie worked in New Salem at the Golden Nugget Bottle Shop as manager and bookkeeper. Soon after that, Bonnie went back to school at Bismarck State College and got her degree in 1995. She worked for Executone for two years before taking on a new challenge at the North Dakota State Land Department where she worked for 17 years until her retirement in 2014. James and Bonnie moved off the farm into New Salem in February 2014 and officially retired from farming in 2015.
Bonnie enjoyed baking, cooking, gardening, canning, ceramics, scrapbooking, candy making, crocheting, and sewing. She loved creating Christmas cookies and treats for family and friends. Her latest love was hand making greeting cards and sending them out to loved ones. Not a birthday, anniversary, or Christmas passed without her thoughtful touch for every family member. It was fun to see what creation she was going to come up with next. Bonnie and James supported their sons and grandsons for many years in wrestling, and several grandchildren in various sports/events through the years. They also enjoyed competitive card playing with each other and watching the NDSU Bison, MN Vikings, Timberwolves, and the Linx together. Most of all, she cherished time spent with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Bonnie was deeply involved at St. Pius V Catholic Church in New Salem, where she shared her faith as a CCD teacher and helped guide children in preparing for their First Communion. She was also active with the Christian Mothers and managed the gift shop at the church. Bonnie served as a leader for many years for the Willing Workers 4-H Club. She participated for over 20 years in the ACS Bismarck-Mandan Relay For Life as a team member when grandson Kasey was diagnosed with cancer in 1997, and from 2009-2019 was the Accounting Chair. Throughout those years, the Bismarck-Mandan RFL achieved the highest fundraising totals and earned recognition in the Great West Division as a leading organization among other states.
Bonnie was so proud to be a 12-year lymphoma cancer survivor, and even when re-diagnosed with lymphoma and brain cancer, and told it was a high risk, highly aggressive cancer, she never asked ‘why me’. She had the most positive attitude through her 6-month journey. She was courageous and fought with all her might to the very end. Bonnie will be remembered for her faith, creativity, and dedication to her family. She never complained, even through the hardest times, and lived her life with grace and strength. Our hearts were not ready to say goodbye, but we know she now walks in peace, among the stars, where pain cannot follow, forever loved, and never truly gone.
She is survived by her husband of 59 years, James Pazdernik; children, Thomas James (Cynthia) Pazdernik, Mandan; Matthew Ronald (Tammy) Pazdernik, Mandan, Theresa Kaye (Terrance) Moravec, Bismarck, Michael Jay (Dana) Pazdernik, New Salem, Mark Douglas Pazdernik, Carrington; grandchildren, Kayla (Slade) Ternes, Kimberly (Josh) Schlag, Kendra (Adam) Stein, Kasey (Tanna) Pazdernik, Kyler (Katelyn) Pazdernik, Karli Pazdernik, Tommy (Brittney) Moravec, Tessa (Zach) Baillie, Trace (Johanna) Moravec, Josephine Pazdernik, Jacklyn Pazdernik (Joseph Leingang -fiance), Kenadie Pazdernik; great-grandchildren, Benson, Abrietta, Asher, Grayson, Declan, Kimber, Haisley, Drake, Hayes, Adalynn, Walker, Maisie, and one on the way; brothers, Douglas (Deb) Doll, Kevin (Mary) Doll, Charles (Pam) Doll, Harlan (Jodie) Doll, David (Donna) Doll; sister-in-law, June Doll; brothers-in-law, Darrell Kuhn and Keith Pagel.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Helen Doll; brother, Ronald Doll; sisters, Doreen Kuhn and Joelene Pagel; nephew, Joshau Kuhn; and a great-grandson, Emerson Schlag.
Red ID: FND_I_79399 Image ID: 539216 Image Notes: FND001 271904
