Bonnie Gramberg-Kirchmeier

Bonnie Gramberg-Kirchmeier, 88, of Waubay, SD passed away on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at Sun Dial Manor in Bristol, SD. Public Graveside Service will be 11 A.M. on Tuesday, August 4, 2020 at Lakewood Cemetery in Waubay and will be live streamed on Fiksdal Funeral Service Facebook page. Walk through visitation will be on Monday from 5-7 P.M. at Fiksdal Funeral Chapel in Webster. Bonnie Lou Soyland was born on December 25, 1931 to Tony and Mable (Holsher) Soyland in Waubay, South Dakota. She grew up in the Day County area and attended Webster school until 6th grade. The family then moved to Garden Grove, California where she graduated high school in 1949. After graduating from high school, she returned to South Dakota and lived with her aunt and uncle, Nick and Maym Martin and worked as a receptionist at the Peabody clinic. In September of 1950 she married Gordon Gramberg of Waubay and to this union three children were born, Roxanne Sylvia Craig, Valerie Jean (Elliot) Middleton and Gregg Gordon (Mona) Gramberg. Music was a big part of Bonnie’s life, as she grew up singing along to her dad’s violin. In school she sang in the Glee Clubs, Operalia’s song in the American Legion Auxiliary choir, church choir, and special Christmas programs and was a member of a special trio. She also loved to dance but her dancing days ended when she underwent knee replacement surgery. Bonnie’s favorite TV program were the Lawrence Welk show and the Gaither Gospel Hour. She also loved watching the Minnesota Twins baseball games and playing pinochle. Bonnie roots went deep in Waubay where she was born and after marrying Gordon Gramberg the couple bought the double lot at 120 N. 2nd St previously owned by her grandfather, William C. Holsher and established their home there for many years! The Lutheran church was very important to her. She served on the church council and call committee, was Ladies Aid President, Sunday school teacher, and sang in the choir, and was a part of the quilting group. She was also in the community and served on the school board, active in PTA, Legion Auxiliary President, secretary of the senior citizen group, president of the Tuesday Literary club and worked as newspaper reporter at the Waubay Clipper, the Webster Reporter and Farmer, the Watertown Public Opinion and Aberdeen American News for many years. Gordon passed away in 1992. In 1995 she married her high school sweetheart, John Kirchmeier. John passed away in 2004. Bonnie passed away on July 29, 2020 at the age of 88 years, 7 months and 4 days. She will be missed by three children, 17 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, a granddaughter Tanya Marie Craig, two brothers Ted and Scott Soyland, one sister, Juanita Morris.