Bonita (Bonnie) Kislia died peacefully on July 18, 2018 surrounded by her loving family after a courageous and hard fought battle with cancer. She was born on March 16, 1943 in her home on the northside of Virginia, MN to Nick and Rose (Altobelli) Alexander. Bonnie was the youngest and came as a surprise to Nick and Rose as an unexpected twin. As a devout Catholic, she attended Marquette Catholic School through the 8th grade. She graduated from Roosevelt High school. On June 10, 1061, she married Philip Kislia and together they had three daughters and one son. They spent the early years of their marriage in Alaska and Washington D.C. while Phil served in the Army, but returned to Virginia in the early 1960s to raise their family. Bonnie studied as a lab technician but instead chose to not work outside the home and instead devote herself to raising her four children. When they were self-sufficient, she spent a few years working part-time at McDonalds for some extra spending cash. She was the most fantastic grandmother to 12 grandchildren.

Bonnie was famous for her wit and what she called "quips." She was a talented limerick writer, fashioning some hilarious rhymes. She loved crocheting afghans for both children and adults, working crossword puzzles, traveling with her friends, volunteering for organizations that focused on those with mental illness, attending 4:30 mass at Holy Spirit, spending time at the family cabin, taking her dog, Vinny, for walks, being a part of the Dance Club and dancing with Phil and, of course, cooking and baking. Bonnie's delicious gnocchi, popovers and banana bread will be sorely missed.

Bonnie is preceded in death by her father, Nick Alexander; mother, Rose (Altobelli) Alexander; step-father, Romie Stotz; brothers Richard (Dick) Alexander and Ralph Alexander and sister Christina (Tina) Novakovich.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 57 years, Phil; children, Kim Kislia (Dr. Richard Prelipp); Terri Nystrom (Mike); Brian Kislia (Rene) and Michelle Nesbitt (Kevin); her twin sister Nancy Balmes (Bob); sister-in-law Barbara Judnick (Robert); 12 grandchildren in order of age: John Nystrom, Jesse Geske (Savannah), Zach Kislia, Caralynn Nystrom, Nick Nesbitt, Emmy Sutherland, Bailey Kislia, Allie Sutherland, Alexander Nystrom, Ben Nesbitt, Dylan Kislia and Abby Nesbitt, along with many nieces, nephews and a long list of friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, July 28th at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Virginia, MN. Reverend Father Brandon Moravitz, Celebrant. Inurnment will follow at the Calvary Cemetery. The family will greet friends at Bauman-Cron Funeral Home on Friday evening, July 27th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 28th before the service.

Memorials are the preferred way to honor Bonnie's memory.

Family services provided by Bauman-Cron, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia. To share condolences online, please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com .

Gathering time for family and friends 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM ,Friday, July 27, 2018
Bauman-Cron Funeral Home Chapel
516 South First Street Virginia, MN 55792
Gathering time for family and friends 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM ,Saturday, July 28, 2018
Holy Spirit Catholic Church
306 Second Street South Virginia, MN 55792
Memorial Mass 11:00 AM ,Saturday, July 28, 2018
Holy Spirit Catholic Church
306 Second Street South Virginia, MN 55792