Obituary of Bonnie Rae Danielson 

Bonnie Rae (Kuipers) Danielson 

Bonnie Rae (Kuipers) Danielson, 66, passed away Wednesday, December 27, 2023 in her home in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

Bonnie was born September 11, 1957 in Platte to Harm and Bertha Kuipers.  She grew up on the farm Northwest of Platte, the fourth and “middle” child in an active family of eight children.  She attended Platte Christian Grade School, followed by Dakota Christian High School, graduating in 1975. 

She then went on to earn her elementary education degree from Dordt College, along with being active in drama and working at the college radio station. 

Bonnie met her life-long love, Michael Danielson, while working at a nursing home in Minneapolis over the summer.  They married in Platte and began their life adventure together on June 2, 1979.   

Bonnie’s first teaching job was instructing the 7th and 8th graders in Pease, Minnesota.  Later, they moved to Volga, South Dakota where Bonnie took on the role of principal as well as 7th and 8th grade teacher while Michael finished his nursing degree. 

Both Bonnie and Michael loved travel and adventure, and this formed a theme throughout their lives.  After Michael earned his degree, they loaded up their pickup and drove down to Honduras, where Michael worked with Dr. Bryn Jones at the Medical Clinic in Catacamas, and Bonnie taught the Jones children.  During their time there, they explored Honduras and Guatemala whenever they had a chance. 

Upon returning to the States, they settled in Denver, Colorado, where Bonnie worked at the Tattered Cover Bookstore as a buyer for the poetry section as well as in the accounting department.  Skiing, biking, rollerblading and camping were all part of the fun of living in Colorado. 

Bonnie’s love of books and writing led her to complete her MA in Literature from the University of Colorado in Boulder.  She was one of the four 1989 Colorado Council of the Arts and Humanities Grant Recipients for Poetry, and toured the state giving poetry readings. 

While accompanying Michael during his stint as a traveling nurse, Bonnie lived in Long Island, New York, West Virginia, and New Orleans.  When they decided it was time to settle somewhere, they bought the house in Minneapolis, Minnesota where they would spend the rest of their lives. 

Bonnie worked at the Hungry Mind Bookstore until it closed, then worked in the bookstore at Macallister College for several years.  Bonnie had a soul that was steeped in poetry and music, and she continued to write as well as collaborate with Michael as a songwriter. 

Her love of travel took her all over the world; she and Michael visited 49 of the 50 states, England, Ireland, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Japan, Newfoundland, Central America, and Curacao.  One of Bonnie’s favorite trips was hiking the West Coast Trail for a week along the coast of Vancouver Island.  She camped through a blizzard in the Badlands, and did a week long kayak trip down the Missouri River. 

Bonnie and Michael were proud of the beautiful garden in the backyard of their house in Minneapolis.  She spent many happy hours out there planning, planting, and tending to it, as well as playing with and caring for their two cats.  Both Bonnie and Michael loved listening to music and attending concerts, and would write songs together.  Bonnie loved staying in touch with the many cousins, nephews, nieces, and relatives on both sides. 

She is survived by her beloved cats, Ernesto and Hamlet, siblings – Donna (Ron) Kaemingk, Denver, CO, Arla (Mike) Mattock, Minneapolis, MN, Dennis (Leslie) Kuipers, Wellington, CO, Kurt (Gaik) Kuipers, Hilo, HI, Kent (Nancy) Kuipers, Cadott, WI, Lori (Mike) Holcomb, Cadott, WI, sister-in-law, Gretchen Kuipers, Platte, SD, and brother-in-law Tim (Pam) Danielson, Minneapolis, MN; and many nephews, nieces, cousins and extended family. 

She is preceded in death by her husband, Michael, her parents, Harm and Bertha Kuipers, her brother Darrell Kuipers, and her sister-in-law Patty Danielson. 

Bonnie will be missed by all those who knew and loved her, and by those whose lives she touched. 

A memorial service will be held at New City Center for Healing Justice, 3104 16th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN on January 20 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm.  A graveside service in Platte, SD will follow later this spring, date to be determined.  Online condolences can be shared on the Cremation Society of Minnesota website.