Steve Bonine

Bonine, Stephen Jerald, of Eagan, Minnesota passed away on January 12, 2019 at the age of 63.

Steve was born and raised in St. Paul. He attended Immaculate Heart of Mary grade school and graduated from Cretin High School. He spent the last 22 years working within the Minneapolis school district at Armatage Montessori and Lyndale Community School. He found a second home and family with his co-workers. Steve's personable nature was perfectly matched with a career working with children. Kids gravitated toward him, and he earned their trust and respect.

Steve adored his daughter, Jessica. She never let him get away with anything and he was her biggest fan. He cherished the time he spent with his grandchildren, Clayton, Nolan, Claira, and Owen, with living room sleepovers, make-overs, and rocket launching.

Steve was an original. A classic. His unassuming nature allowed him to get away with the endless pranks and jabs he took against his son-in-law, Chad, his brothers and sisters and in-laws. He could make his mother, Sally, shake her head, cover her eyes, and grin all at the same time. They all delivered right back and no one laughed harder than Steve, even if at his own expense.

Affectionately known by his nieces and nephews as Uncle Buck, he never turned down an opportunity to make someone laugh. His larger than life personality filled the room all while having the unique ability to make everyone feel like his favorite.

Steve is survived by his daughter, Jessica (nee Pfeffer) Chad Sanders, of Woodbury; grandchildren Clayton, Nolan, Claira and Owen; his mother, Sally Miller of Roseville; his siblings Bruce (Michelle) of Roseville; Sue (Dan) Sprick of Eagan; Patty (Mike) Kirchner of Shoreview, Craig of Cottage Grove and Barb (Mark) Newman of New Brighton; his aunt Sue Weleczki of Roseville; and 18 nieces and nephews and 21 great nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death, father Richard Miller; grandparents Vera Laffen, Rudolph and Mary Bonine.

A special family thank you to Steve's partner-in-crime at Armatage, Joan Franks, for her twenty years of friendship with Steve, and for graciously guiding and supporting his family through this process.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 19th at the Armatage Montessori School Auditorium, 2501 West 56th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55410. The day of celebration will begin with Visitation at 10:00am and the Memorial Service to begin at 11:00. Luncheon to follow.

Our family is so grateful for your kind words, condolences and blessings.