Roman J. Bonde, 81, left this life peacefully on May 22, 2012 with his family nearby. In the families 56 years together they shared many happy times but also faced many challenges, particularly in recent years. Roman was born in Meeme Township on March 1, 1931 to Theodore and Genevieve (Baugniet) Bonde, Sr. He was the 14th of their 15 children. He graduated from Holy Trinity Catholic School and in 1949 received his diploma from Kiel High School. He spent four years in the U.S. Air Force and was proud to share stories of his experiences in the service. He married Betty Koenig on Oct. 13, 1956. They made their home in School Hill, where they raised two daughters and six sons. Roman was employed as a burner for the Manitowoc Company Inc., retiring after 39 years. While employed there, he was very active as a union official representing the Boilermakers Union Local #443. He was an active outdoorsman for most of his life and enjoyed trapping, hunting and fishing. Roman was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in School Hill and active in the Men’s Club for many years. He was also an active member of the School Hill Sportsmen’s Club. Roman took great pride in his home and garden. He is survived by his wife, Betty, and eight children, two sons-in-law and two daughters-in-law: David (Denise Lensmire) Bonde, Plymouth; Carl (Shel) Bonde, Maribel; Mary (Marnell) Tanner, Alexandria, VA; Tim Bonde, Kiel; Larry (Pat Hennings) Bonde, School Hill; Andrew Bonde, East Moline, IL; Lucy (Dan) Bellerud, De Pere; Will (Bev) Bonde, Kiel; twenty- five grandchildren: Chris (Kari) Bonde; Jen (Ryan) Schild; Joe (Stacey) Bonde; Ted (Angela) Bonde; John Bonde; Renee (fiancee, Bryan Bracey) Tanner; Carmel Tanner; Matt Bonde; Jordan Bonde; Phil (Bridget) Bonde; Miranda Bonde; Candace Bonde; Evan Bonde; Erin Bonde; Franki Bellerud; Jacob Bellerud; Nikki Bellerud; Liz Bonde; Katie Bonde; Grace Bonde, Roman (R.J.) Bonde; Tim Edwards; Kayla Edwards; Logan Heraly and Briana Heraly as well as six great-grandchildren: Bianca Bonde; Miles Schild; Isaak McGuire, Conner Bonde, Abigail Bonde and Olivia Bonde. Roman is further survived by five siblings: Alex (Rita) Bonde, Kiel; Donald (Margie) Bonde, Newton; Marion Lenz, School Hill; Frances Hutchison and Loretta Koenig, Manitowoc and sister in law Virginette Bonde, also of Manitowoc. He leaves behind an additional 12 brothers and sisters-in-law as well as many lifelong neighbors and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers: Norbert, Bernard, Odilo, Fritz, and Ted; four sisters, Irene Stein, Margaret, Rose and Marcella Bonde and numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 25, 2012 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, School Hill. The Mass of Christian burial will take place at 10:30 am with Rev. Patrick Nelson & Deacon Jim Steffen officiating. Burial will take place in the church cemetery. The family will greet relatives and friends at Church on Thursday, May 24, 2012 from 4:00 until 7:00 pm and on Friday at the Church from 9:00 am until the time of service. Roman’s family would like to thank the staff at WillowPark Assisted Living in New Holstein for their diligence and compassion in caring for Roman the past 1 ½ years as well as the recent care Roman received at St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan.