10 Aug Bonnie Kisch
Bonnie Kisch, 81, of Bismarck, passed away on July 6, 2023, at her home surrounded by family.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 AM on Saturday, August 12, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Bismarck, ND. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery, Dickinson, ND.
Visitation will be held Friday, August 11, from 6:30 – 7:30 PM at Bismarck Funeral Home, with a Rosary and Vigil Service at 7:30. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the service on Saturday.
Bonita Jean Lisko was born on February 27, 1942, to Adolph and Bertha (Sigl) Lisko in Dickinson, ND. She graduated from Dickinson Central High School, then went on to Dickinson State University and Valley City University.
On August 1, 1961, she married Joseph Kisch at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Dickinson. She enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom with her children for 17 years. While living in Jamestown, ND, she began work as a teller at First Federal, then went back with her children to work as an instructional assistant at Gussner Elementary in Jamestown. In 1989, they moved to Bismarck and was an instructional assistant at Will-Moore Elementary until retirement in 2007. She also enjoyed working part time at the Mandan Eagles.
In her spare time, she enjoyed volunteering her time as a Boy Scout den mother and board member, Girl Scout leader, usher for the Bismarck Mandan Symphony, as well as teaching religion classes in Jamestown and at Corpus Christi Catholic Church. She also loved to decorate and bake for the holidays.
Her family was her greatest pride and joy as were all of the children she helped throughout the years of being an instructional assistant. She looked forward to seeing them every year when they made sure to come to her house for trick or treating.
Bonnie will be deeply missed by her daughter, Jodi (Terry) Mercier, Kealakekua, HI; sons, Jay (Leslie) Kisch, Barnsville, MN and Jon Kisch, Northglenn, CO; grandchildren, J. Ryne Kisch and Christy and Mikela Mercier; siblings, Bob (Joan) Lisko, Colorado Springs, CO, Sandi (Harvey) Tibor, Hebron, ND, Kathy (Kirk) Jorgenson, Dickinson, ND; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph; parents, Adolph and Bertha Lisko; son, James Michael; and brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Carolyn Lisko.
Kisch Family~I met Bonnie when I was a new student at Gussner Elementary in 4th grade. I am also a classmate of Jon’s. Bonnie had a such a warm welcoming smile and really touched the lives of those of us she encountered. She really enjoyed mom life as well. I remember our class going to her house across from the school for a party. Not sure if we were celebrating Jon’s birthday or what was going on (too many yrs ago), but she was right there with snacks and beverages and making sure we all had what we needed. She smiled the whole time. I have never forgotten her. My heartfelt sympathies to you all.
Kisch family, Bonnie will be remembered for her generous heart, beautiful smile and open door. She was an amazing lady. Heaven got another good one! Prayers for peace and joy in memories shared. Hugs, Char
Your father Joe was my 8th grade teacher(1961) and I met Bonnie when they lived at St. Gertrude’s. I babysat for the oldest two of you when you were just babies. Bonnie and I have exchanged Christmas cards for all these years. I came to live with you for about a month while ur Dad took a group of students to Germany and your Mom ran the concession stand at the out door theater in Jamestown. I took a Chemistry class at the University which was required for Nursing school entrance in Aberdeen at Presentation. Bonnie was an awesome person and such a pretty lady.
I am so sorry for the loss of your mom. I am so glad I was able to help her in her last few months on earth as her cna with hospice of the red river valley. She holds a special place in my heart i always felt so welcomed when i came to help her 3 days a week. We had lots of fun together and I like helping her get her rooms ready for her company and had a few chuckles when we made the beds with her safety pin to help rotate her sheets she will be missed by me everyday. I will keep you all in my prayers
I met Bonnie 75 years ago when My parents moved my brother and me from my birth city of Wahpeton to Dickinson, North Dakota. Bonnie was the first friend I made in my new neighborhood block in Dickinson. This happened because of an unexpected but fortuitous exchange of May Baskets on May 1st, 1948. To a 6 year old kid despondent over recent loss of a familiar home, friends, family dog and comfortable neighborhood this new friendship was a blessing, a godsend. Bonnie and I thereafter shared a friendship that endured for the rest of her life and will for the remainder of mine.
Family, It was an honor to work with Bonnie in her last few months giving her acupuncture and mobility, back in her shoulder, to bake some last batches of cookies
. I genuinely loved coming to see her positivity and smile. She taught me a great deal, was my teacher too.