Bonnie Lou Carrell (Stangenes)

Bonnie Lou Stangenes, age 85, of Shoreview, Minnesota, passed away on May 26, 2025, at St. Therese of Odilia Hospice.

Bonnie was born on August 10, 1939, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Harold and Lucille (Schmidt) Stangenes. She grew up in the Owasso Heights neighborhood of Shoreview, which was the countryside with unpaved roads at the time, known for forest and field, a place for summer retreat near the lake. They lived in one of the many cabins that surrounded the lake and eventually gave way to more substantial homes. Although she was a beloved only child, a sister-like bond was formed with cousins Linda Ricci and Sharon Kuesel who spent much of their childhood with Bonnie. It was a busy household with a standing invitation to all. Bonnie also spent many summer days at the cottage in Vergas, Minnesota, where her parents originated.

Bonnie attended Lake Owasso Elementary, a two-room schoolhouse on Victoria Street and was musically gifted from an early age. She played the French horn, organ, and accordion, taking lessons at Traficante in St Paul. By age 17, Bonnie was performing across the Twin Cities as the featured accordionist for the St. Paul Clown Club. Bonnie graduated from Alexander Ramsey High School in Roseville in 1957. That same year, she met Gregory Carrell, and the two were married in 1958. They began their life together in a small apartment near Midway Hospital, eventually settling in Shoreview near her parents where they raised their four children, Annette, Jeanette, Daniel, and Amy along with Bonnie's favorite basset hounds.

Bonnie liked to entertain and created a stylish home. She liked to cook, and holidays brought special dishes, with beautiful tables set with creative aplomb. Specialties like standing rib roast and baked Alaska were part of her repertory. Family gatherings often ended with Bonnie giving an accordion concert or Christmas songs on the organ.

Bonnie was artistic, learning millinery, she created lovely hats. She crafted items with decoupage, knitted sweaters, and sewed clothes that impressed. She had great personal style, from jewel adorned hairdos and lemon-colored mini dresses to red Chanel jackets and the sleek top-knot hairstyle that was her signature.

Bonnie was known for her pleasant and professional demeanor, adaptability, and exceptional administrative skills at work. Over the years, she built a career as an administrative assistant, working in the insurance industry, Hayden-Murphy Heavy Equipment Co, and at Control Data, an early supercomputing company. She later worked at Tektronix Minnesota and finally retired from Ramsey County Mental Health Clinic.

In her early seventies, Bonnie was diagnosed with leukoaraiosis, a progressive condition affecting the white matter of the brain that controls mobility and memory. Despite the challenges it brought, she was able to live at home with Greg, remained sharp, and never complained. In March 2025, a cancerous growth was found on her colon. Although the surgery was successful, she was weakened by the operation and her health declined in the weeks that followed.

Bonnie passed away on Memorial Day-the same holiday on which she and Greg were married 67 years ago.

She will be remembered as a kind, thoughtful, elegant woman, a loving mother and wife, and generous friend. She took pride in her home, welcomed others warmly and lived with quiet strength.

Bonnie is survived by her children, Annette Carrell-Peters, Jeanette Carrell (Paul Koerber), Daniel Carrell (Socheat Kang), and Amy Varner; grandchildren, Lee (Katie), Adrienne, Eric, Alexis, Evyn, Ellyse, and Talia; great grandchildren, Rowan and Griffin and many extended family and friends who loved her dearly.

A memorial service will be held by the family at Bradshaw Celebration of Life Center, 4600 Greenhaven Drive, White Bear Lake, MN. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bonnie's name to Minnesota Public Television (PBS/TPT) link: https://tpt.pledgecart.org/home campaign=89AC3788-0FEB-4F42-ABFE-50939738D18D or call (651) 222-1717.