After 39 years, there is more time for the fun things in life!

Bonnie Borene recently retired after 39 years at CHS Northland Grain and was honored at a retirement party held at the Oklee Community Hall on June 7, 2019.

Bonnie moved to Oklee in 1979 when her husband Brad got a job as a teacher at the Oklee High School. Brad retired in 2013.  

In their first year living in Oklee Bonnie held a variety of jobs ranging from temporary office work to babysitting. One day Brad came home from work and said there were two jobs open in Oklee, one at Security State Bank and the other at the Oklee Elevator. She applied for both jobs, was offered both positions and then had to decide which one to take, a difficult decision. After visiting with the current bookkeeper at the Oklee Elevator, who told her that things are always changing, she chose the job at the Oklee Elevator and she hasn’t regretted that decision. 

During 39 years as the bookkeeper at the Oklee Elevator, she has made many lasting friendships, which was evident at the retirement party and she has seen many changes in the elevator business and the expansion of the Oklee Elevator becoming part of a much bigger organization of Cenex Harvest State (CHS) that has grown into CHS Northland Grain. Bonnie and Brad have one daughter, Kali, who was married 4 years ago to Seth Flower and they are now expecting their first child in November. They live in the Benson, MN area. 

Bonnie and Brad lived in Oklee for many years, but eventually built a house on Brad’s parents farm near Clearbrook. 

Bonnie and Brad now plan on spending time with their future grandchild, fishing, and Bonnie’s love of gardening and quilting will keep her busy in her retirement. 

Congratulations to Bonnie on her retirement. I know she will be missed by the crew at CHS Northland Grain in Oklee.