Joseph Julius (Joe) Bonnemann died Friday, September 19, 2014 at the United Living Community in Brookings, SD. He was born January 31, 1928, in Huron, SD, the first son of Walter H.C. and Gertrud (Rother) Bonnemann. He received his education in the public schools at Huron, graduating from Huron High School in June 1945. Following high school, he enrolled at South Dakota State College (SDSC) and attended for one year prior to enlisting in the U.S. Army Sept. 1946 for the GI Bill. Following his basic training at Ft. Bliss, TX, he served with the American Occupation Forces in Kyoto, Japan from Jan. 1947 to Jan. 1948. After his discharge in February 1948, he worked with survey crews of the US Bureau of Reclamation out of Huron. He returned to SDSC in Sept. 1948 and pursued a degree in Agronomy (crops), graduating in June 1951. His first employment following graduation was with the USDA-ARS-SWC at the former USDA Newell Irrigation and Dryland Field Station, Newell, SD. In September 1961, he accepted a position as manager-supervisor of the Crop Performance Testing Program with the SDSC Agronomy Dept. (now Plant Science) at Brookings, SD. He was a member of the first graduating class of South Dakota State University when he received his Masters Degree (MS) at the conclusion of summer school, August 1964. He retired as an Assistant Professor Emeritus of Plant Science, April 15, 1992. Joe married Coral Ellen Coffey on July 4, 1954, in Grace Episcopal Church at Huron, SD. Joe and Coral recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Since retirement Joe and Coral have enjoyed traveling to all 50 of the United States and nine Canadian provinces. To further nuture his interest in lifelong learning, they especially enjoyed attending 24 Elderhostel programs in various locations around North America. Favorite hobbies were gardening, learning new computer software, and collecting stamps. He recently enjoyed participating in the OLLI classes sponsored by SDSU. Joe attended St Paul's Episcopal Church where he served as Lay Reader and as a member of the vestry and treasurer. He is a member of NARFE, Golden K Kiwanis, ASA (American Society of Agronomy), APS (American Philatelic Society), AARP, Gamma Sigma Delta, American Legion Post #74, & Brookings Lodge #24, AF&AM. He is survived by his wife, Coral, Brookings; three children: Barbara (Richard) Robideau, Sheldon, IA; Brenda (Kim) Moline, Angola, IN; and Howard (Diana Christiansen) Bonnemann, Brookings, SD. Seven grandchildren - Kathrine (Drew) Stevens, Yankton; Laurel Moline, Yankton; Tessie (Christian) Hawkins, Rapid City; Logan Robideau, Sheldon, IA; Marisa Robideau, Huron, SD; Elias Bonnemann, Northfield, MN; Rebekah Bonnemann, Brookings. He was preceded in death by his parents and younger twin brothers - Henry and a baby. The family prefers memorials which may be directed to the SDSU Foundation for the Joseph J. and Coral C. Bonnemann Scholarships in either Plant Science or Medical Technology. Visitation will be from 4-6 P.M. Sunday at Eidsness Funeral Home, Brookings, SD. The memorial service at St. Paul's Episcopal Church will be at 11:00 A.M. Monday, September 22, 2014, following interment at Greenwood Cemetery, Brookings, SD, at 10:00 A.M. Monday.