Ronald Raymos Bonkosky

Ronald R Bonkosky, 96, of Lake Esquagama, MN died in Plantation, FL on November 23, 2024. A Celebration of Life service will be held in summer of 2025 and inurnment of his cremated remains will be at Gilbert Cemetery with arrangements co-handled with Zeimer-Moeglein Funeral Home of Gilbert.

He was born in Eveleth, MN on August 19, 1928, to the late Molly and Stanley Bonkoski. He graduated from Gilbert High School in 1946 and Eveleth Junior College where he scored his personal record of 43 points. He then went on to Colorado College, Colorado Springs on a basketball scholarship to continue his education graduating with a BA degree in education in 1951 along with awards for basketball achievement.

Ronald entered the Marine Corp during the Korean War and was discharged in 1953 with the Rank of Sargent. He then took a teaching and coaching position in Chester, IL and on December 25, 1953, married Betty Walker, a beautiful, registered nurse from Miami, FL whom he had been dating. A son, Michael Reid Bonkosky soon arrived to start the family.

He moved back to Miami, Fl in 1956 and shortly after had their second child, Susan. After a few brief years designing window curtain walls, he returned to teaching. He taught Industrial Arts at North Miami Beach Jr High and obtained a MA degree from Nova University in Vocational Education. He also attended the University of Miami. Along with his parents, he owned and operated Distinguished Trophy Company for 25 years while still living in Miami and later in Gilbert.

In 1977, Ron accepted a job with the St. Louis County Schools as the Sec Voc Dir & Food Director and continued course at UMD. He also was the manager of the bar-restaurant and fast-food counter at Fortune Bay Casino for a few years when it first opened. Ron retired in 1991 from the school district and he and Betty started entertaining more. He then became the Business Manager for the Esquagama County Club for 13 years. In 2006, he also became a sales representative for NARSTCO selling steel railroad ties. His goal ultimately was to make The Iron Range a dominate player as a railroad tie supplier.

During the summer, Ron spent many quality months enjoying the visits from Susan’s family with visits to the cities. In the winter, I went to Miami to watch the children grow into beautiful young adults.

He was a member of St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Gilbert, Moe-Indihar American Legion Post No 138 and a 65-year member of the Eveleth’s Elk Club. He also played the trumpet, as a guest artist, in all the local bands and various places around the country. He wrote is memoires about his life, primarily about his trumpet playing. The book is called, “A Man, His Horn, His life”. He also made a CD of favorite songs. The book is stored in the Gilbert Library.

He is survived by his son, Michael (Sharon Korochec) Bonkosky of Blairsville, GA; daughter, Susan (Tim) Bray of Rosemount, MN; his grandchildren, Christopher (Heather), Steven (Andrea), Savannah (Jason), and Flynn; great grandchildren, Addison, Aubrey, Sadie and Reid and his present wife, Zenaida Matthews.

Preceding him in death, were his parents, Stanley and Molly Bonkoski and his beloved wife, Betty of 58 years.