Bonnie Netjes

Rock Rapids, IA

Bonnie Netjes, age 75 of Rock Rapids, IA passed away peacefully with her husband, Les by her side on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at her home in Rock Rapids, IA.

Visitation with the family present will be Friday, March 20th from 5:00 – 7:00 PM, with the family present at the Christian Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, IA.

Funeral service will be at 10:30 AM, Saturday, March 21st at the Christian Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, with Rev. Al Richardson, officiating.  View Livestream of Service

Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids.

Bonita Lynn (Van Essen) Netjes was born on May 1, 1950, in Adrian, Minnesota, the daughter of Henry and Betty (Kruen) Van Essen. Bonnie grew up in the Leota, MN, area, where she attended Leota Christian Grade School and later graduated from Southwestern Christian High School in Edgerton. She continued her education in Sioux Falls, completing nursing school and earning her LPN degree one year later. She worked for a year in the Emergency Room at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls before transferring to the Sioux Center Community Hospital, where she spent three years.

On June 2, 1971, she was united in marriage to Leslie Netjes at Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church in Leota. Les and Bonnie both grew up in Leota and were classmates from grade school through high school. After marrying, they lived in the Dordt College trailers while Les finished his senior year at Dordt. In 1973, they moved to Rock Rapids, IA, where they opened men’s and women’s clothing stores named Inga’s and Inga’s for Her. The stores kept them very busy and allowed them to meet many wonderful people. After 27 years in business, they closed their doors in April 2000. In January 2001, Bonnie began working at the Rock Rapids Health Center as the business office manager. She loved her work and the residents. In May of 2016 she retired.

Bonnie loved gardening and flowers. Her deck and patio resembled a greenhouse, and she enjoyed sitting outside surrounded by the colors in her flowerpots. She also grew many vegetables, sharing the harvest generously with family and friends. Cooking and baking were among her joys as well, and she made countless pies for the church fair booth. Bonnie shared her love of gardening with all her grandkids, teaching them how to pick beans and peas, dig potatoes, and harvesting ripe produce. Her grandkids loved making donuts with her, going to the Heritage Day Parade, strawberry picking, and going to the beach with both grandparents. For over 50 years, Bonnie has been a member of Rock Rapids Christian Reformed Church where she was active in her church and faithfully played piano for services until her health declined.

Beginning in 1998, Bonnie faced six primary cancers, treated through surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Throughout every trial, she showed remarkable determination and maintained a positive spirit. With the prayers and support of her family and friends, she overcame each challenge and continued to live with joy and gratitude. Les and Bonnie were a powerful example of commitment in marriage—loving and caring for one another through countless days in hospitals and at home recovering, showing their children and grandchildren what true devotion looks like.

Most of all, Bonnie knew and loved her Savior. Her faith was tested through many difficult seasons, and despite her numerous cancer diagnoses, she never stopped pointing to Him. She never complained, never grew bitter, and continued to live a grace-filled, faithful life.

Bonnie will be greatly missed by her husband, Les of Rock Rapids, IA; their sons Eric (Jamie) Netjes of Sioux Falls, SD and Mark (Kelly) Netjes of St. John, IN; seven grandchildren—Emma, Olivia (Drew), Anna, Drew, Gavin, Liam, and Avery; her siblings Quentin (Edy) Van Essen of Sioux Center, IA, Marietta (Vern) Vander Top of Loveland, CO, Don (Deb) Van Essen of Grand Rapids, MI, Leroy (June) Van Essen of Midway, AR, and Kristi Zonnefeld of Waupun, WI; as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Betty Van Essen; her father- and mother-in-law, Henry and Alyda Netjes; and her brother-in-law, Gregg Zonnefeld.