The following obituary is from the Sept. 18, 2008 print edition of the Chanhassen Villager newspaper:

Jean M. Bongard

Jean Bongard, 75, of Chaska, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away Saturday, Aug. 30, 2008 at Fairview Southdale in Edina.Jean Bongard

Mass of Christian Burial was held Wednesday, Sept. 3, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Victoria Catholic Church, Victoria, with Father Bob White as Celebrant of the Mass. Visitation at St. Victoria Catholic Church from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2, with vigil prayers at 7 p.m. Tuesday night; visitation also one hour prior to the Mass at church. Interment at St. Victoria Catholic Cemetery.

Jean was born March 21, 1933 in Waconia, the daughter of Florian J. and Helen P. (Kolb) Notermann. Jean was both baptized and confirmed at St. Victoria Catholic Church in Victoria. On June 30, 1953 Jean M. was united in marriage to Willard F. Bongard at St. Victoria Catholic Church in Victoria. Casketbearers are grandchildren.

Jean was a loving wife, mom, grandma. She cherished every family outing and minute spent with her family. Holy Family Catholic High School has been built on their century-old family farmland. Jean was a life-long community and church leader. She taught faith formation at St. Victoria for nearly forty years beginning in 1969, continuing until present day. She enjoyed the rewards she felt teaching over 600 children. She was also a longtime Catholic Aid Association member, leader and serving as secretary. She also served on the Fraternal Activities Committee. Jean loved to welcome new faces to the Victoria community by participating in the “Welcome Neighbor” service.

Jean is preceded in death by her father and mother, Florian J. and Helen P. (Kolb) Notermann; step-mother, Ann (Kolb) Notermann; brother, James Notermann.

Jean is survived by her loving family, husband of 55 years Willard; children, Allan (Carol Anderson) Bongard of Cologne, Barbara Bongard of Chaska, Kurt (Joanna) Bongard of Waconia, Gregg (Phyllis) Bongard of Faribault, Lois (James) Hansel of Chaska, Nancy (Alvaro) Gomez of Chanhassen and Tracy (Timothy) Ketchem of Victoria; grandchildren, Andrew, Cortney, Jacob, Kristen, Jason, Joseph, Laura, Kelsey, Samantha, Alexandra, William, Alexander and Carol Anderson’s children Cory and Daved; brother, George (Diane) Notermann of Waconia, sister-in-law, Pat Notermann of Bloomington; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Merc (Margaret) Bongard of Minnetonka, Roger Bongard of Winter Haven, Fla., Dorothy Bongard of Victoria, Bernie (Dorothy) Bongard of Farmington, Jeanette Golden of Savannah, Ga., Florence (Bill) Payne of Birmingham, Ala., Gerene Kee of Minnetonka, Issy Kroening of Chaska, Harry Bongard of Eden Prairie, Donna Berreth of Atlanta, Ga., Donny Bongard of Victoria; nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

Arrangements are with the Johnson Funeral Home in Waconia; online condolences available at www.johnsonfh.com.