Richard J. Bonde, age 68, a resident of Two Rivers, entered eternal life on Sunday afternoon, March 9, 2025, at his residence with family by his side.
Rich was born on September 14, 1956 in Manitowoc. He was the son of the late Alex and Rita Schad Bonde. Rich was a graduate of Kiel High School with the class of 1974. He retired after over 40 years of employment with Manitowoc Cranes. On October 9, 1982 he married Cheryl W. Kracht at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Two Creeks. Rich was member of St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Newtonburg where he was active as an usher, an elder of the church, served on the evangelism committee, a member of the hand bell choir, along with other numerous church activities. One of his favorite sports was drag racing and Rich also enjoyed the years spent at the Bonderosa.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Cheryl, three sisters, Gail Schlies, Manitowoc, Joan (Daniel) Reseburg, Kiel, Ann (Gary) Hei, Kiel; one brother, Steven Bonde, Kiel; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Janet Kieselhorst, Pewaukee, Diane (Ed) Lorenz, Manitowoc, June (Ed) Hinshaw, Tish Mills, Delores (Fred) Schuetze, New Berlin, Jim (Sandi) Zobel, Menominee, MI, Kathy Zobel, Neenah; many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, great great nieces, great great nephews, along with other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alex and Rita Bonde and four brothers-in-law, David J. Schlies, Jerome Kieselhorst, Dave Zobel, and Steve Zobel.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 on Friday, March 14, 2025 at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, 7531 English Lake Road, Manitowoc. Officiating will be Rev. Micah Martin with burial to follow at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church on Thursday, March 13, 2025 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and then on Friday morning from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at 11:30 A.M.
In lieu of flowers memorials would be appreciated to a memorial fund being established in Richard’s name. Online condolences to the family may be sent to www.harriganparsidefuneralhome.com
The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
