Cover photo for Peter Bons's Obituary
Peter Bons Profile Photo
1926 Peter 2009

Peter Bons

January 16, 1926 — April 11, 2009

Peter “Pete” Bons, age 83, a long time Kimberly WI resident, passed away Saturday April 11, 2009 in Tucson AZ. After retiring 16 years ago, he and his wife Vivian moved to sunny Arizona where he fulfilled his lifelong dream of living in a warm climate. Pete & Vivian made many wonderful friends in Arizona.

Pete began his life January 16, 1926 in Nijmegen, Holland, where he was one of 10 children born to the late Henry and Maria (Gietman) Bons. After his grade school years, he entered trade school where he learned to be a fine cabinet maker. Once his town in Holland was liberated by the Allies during World War II, he joined and served in the Dutch army until after the war. In 1950, his parents and most of their children moved to America to seek a new life. After a short time in the states, he entered the US army and served his new country in the Korean War and officially earned his citizenship while in Korea.

On April 28, 1956, he married Vivian Traxler. They had a double wedding with his brother John marrying Vivian's sister, Sally. They would have celebrated 53 years together in April. Pete established himself as a homebuilder in the Fox Valley area. He owned and operated Bons Construction for over 40 years. He spent his free time building cabinets for his family, traveling throughout the United States, and talking about his military and war time experiences. He maintained a playful sense of humor throughout his life.

He is survived by his wife, Vivian and their 5 children, 16 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren: Leanne and Jim Splittgerber, Kaitlin and Jimmy, Appleton; Pete and Carol Bons, Sarah, Jon, Felicia, and Kelly, Fishers, IN; Sally and Paul DeBruin, Molly (Xzavion and Armani), Sam, Renee, and Haley, Appleton; Elizabeth and Larry George, Becky, Melanie, and Pete (Collin), Kaukauna; and Mike and Tricia Bons, Jacob, Lindsay, and Anna, Menomonee Falls, WI. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters: Betty Kelderman, Kimberly; Mary and Jake Raedts, Colorado; Ardine (married to Hank) Bons Kaukauna; Bill and Rosa Bons, Little Chute; Jake and Percy Bons, Arizona; John and Sally Bons, Combined Locks; Dorothy Vander Maazen, Appleton; and Ann and John Schultz, Ohio. He is further survived by Vivian's brothers and sisters: Chris Konz, Appleton; Marian and Don Schweda, Wauwatosa WI; Sally and John Bons, Combined Locks; Dr. Anthony and Pat Traxler, Illinois; and Joe and Barb Traxler, Washington.
He is preceded in death by an infant son Richard; one brother Hank; one sister Coby Kokke; 5 brother-in-laws: Jake Kelderman, Ted Kokke, Bill Vander Maazen, George Pavolich, and Ricky Allen; 3 sister-in-laws: Geneva (Traxler) Konz, Rita (Traxler) Allen, and Pat (Traxler) Pavolich; and Vivian's parents: Tony and Mary (Murphy) Traxler.

A Memorial Mass for Pete will be held 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2009 at ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH, 404 W. Lawrence St. Appleton. Father Larry Abler will be officiating. The family will receive friends at the church on Saturday from 9:30 until the time of mass.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in his name.
The family would like to thank Hospice at the Tucson, AZ VA Hospital for all the care, concern and compassion they gave Pete; your kindness will never be forgotten.
Thank you all so very much.

Wichmann Funeral Home
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton 739-1231

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Peter Bons, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Monday, May 9, 2022

9:30 - 10:30 am

St. Joseph Catholic Church

410 W Lawrence St, Appleton, WI 54911

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Service

Monday, May 9, 2022

Starts at 10:30 am

St. Joseph Catholic Church

410 W Lawrence St, Appleton, WI 54911

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

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