Bonnie Balvik, age 71, of Twin Valley, MN, died Thursday, March 17, 2016, at Sanford Health, Fargo, ND, surrounded by family.

Bonnie Mae Gunderson was born March 5, 1945, in Ada, MN, the eldest daughter of Thomas and Mabel (Widme) Gunderson. She grew up in the Twin Valley area and spent her summers working with her dad at his crop spraying business. She flew her first solo flight before her high school graduation in 1963. Following graduation, Bonnie attended Interstate Business College in Fargo, ND.

On February 21, 1964, Bonnie was united in marriage to Ervin Balvik at Zion Lutheran Church. Together they made their home in the Twin Valley area and raised two daughters. In addition to being a loving wife and mother, Bonnie worked as a CNA at the nursing home, at the Twin Valley Café and also the Viking Snowmobile Plant. She recently retired from the Twin Valley Living Center as a laundry supervisor after 36 years of dedicated service.

Throughout the years, Bonnie and Ervin enjoyed spending quality time together with family and friends. One of their favorite hobbies was going on motorcycle rides. Bonnie and Ervin enjoyed hosting many card parties. Many special memories were made taking care of their grandchildren at the farm. Ervin died on July 25, 1996. Shortly thereafter, Bonnie moved into town where she remained until the time of her death.

Over the years, Bonnie's free spirit, sense of humor, love for family and hardworking ethic never diminished. She had a variety of hobbies, which included taking care of her yard, feeding the birds, putting together puzzles, and taking care of her beloved Miss Kitty. She had a way with words and wasn't scared to say exactly what was on her mind. From a young girl to early adulthood, Bonnie had a special love for horses, especially Comanche. Then as her girls grew, she took on a new passion for tending to her flowerbeds and garden. Bonnie planted a huge garden, canning and freezing much of the produce and grew flowers any place she was able. She was an excellent baker and always made time for Christmas baking with her grandkids and taught them some of her specialties like krumkake and beef jerky. Bonnie was also instrumental in starting the Twin Valley Rescue Service and was an active member for several years. In the past few years, Bonnie enjoyed the simple beauty of the birds and her wind chimes.

Her zest for life and love of travel took her many places near and far. Most recently that meant a trip last fall to the West Coast with her daughters and sister followed by a trip to Duluth, MN, with her granddaughter, Amber, to take in the beauty of the fall foliage and waterfalls. She was a very devoted mom and grandma and will be missed by all who were lucky enough to know her.

Bonnie is survived by her two daughters, Tammy (Allen) Carlsrud and Cindy (Chad) Koskela, both of Twin Valley; six grandchildren: Amber (Elvis) Saljevic, Kari (Fiancé, Nathan Norton) Carlsrud, Derek Carlsrud, Brandon (Tasha) Klimek, Sierra Koskela and Wyatt Koskela; one great-grandson, Dilin Klimek; one sister, Donna Mikulecky, Hitterdal, MN; brothers and sisters-in-law: Wayne (Arlene) Balvik, Halstad, MN, Elmer (Gerry) Balvik, Jamestown, ND, Darlene (Tom) Blair, Apache Junction, AZ, Rose Balvik, Orlinda Voit, both of Twin Valley, and Emma Kaiser, Dilworth, MN; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers-in-law, Ernest Balvik, Allen Voit and James Kaiser.

A Celebration of her life will be held Monday, March 21, 2016, at 10:30 AM in Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley. A Time of Gathering will be Sunday, March 20 from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM with a Prayer Service at 6:00 PM at the Anderson Family Funeral Home, Twin Valley and one hour prior at the church on Monday.

Inurnment will take place at Augustana Lutheran Cemetery, rural Halstad, MN.