Kevin L. Tonjes

Kevin Tonjes age 67 of Bancroft passed away unexpectedly on July 23, 2025. In 2010, Kevin was able to survive death 3x in one day with help of many and a helicopter transport after a heart attack at work. But this time, the heart attack was bigger and an incoming storm prevented the helicopter request. A heartfelt thank you to the Pender hospital team I watched feverishly work to keep him alive.

The smiling pictured man above is my husband. Like all of us, not perfect but he was a very thoughtful person who had a big heart.

Truthfully, Kevin got married to be a dad. During nearly 33 years of marriage, we were redirected often. But not geographically. Kevin loved Bancroft. From birth to death, he only had one zip code.

Once married, Kevin soon had his only child, who he named Blake. He also became the instant fun dad to step children Eric and Ellen. He loved them all dearly.

Early in the marriage, and after our son’s birth, petroleum was discovered in and around our home, as well as our neighbors. Though unintentional, it was traumatic. Also impactful to the gas station owners who had been lifelong friends until litigation. It also divided some in our little town.

Kevin was very supportive and loving to our son. Blake called him Papa Bear. Blake had medical difficulties most of his life. Blake suffered complications from a severe fainting illness that caused multiple head and face injuries in his teens. Our mission to help our still very bright son from an illness he did not cause, inadvertently hijacked our lives.

Kevin was wonderful with Eric and Ellen who were young and impressionable when Kevin came to love them. Kevin shared dad things like fishing, hunting, flying his 2 seat powered parachute plane with kids who kept track of who flew the longest the time before. Kevin contributed to both of their notable adult successes.

Kevin selflessly helped his mother until her passing. He found pleasure in helping others. He was a kind, tolerant, teaching husband and a tender hearted man. He never got mad on occasions when the kids were kids, I got the mower stuck, or if I moved snow and put rocks in the grass that made the next mowing season treacherous. He rescued me many times in many ways…and I did the same for him.

He is survived by his wife Jo, children Eric, Ellen, and Blake. Sisters Karmen and Holly and sibling in-laws Mary and Everett, who also loved him like a brother. Preceded in death by both sets of parents.

Thank someone for kindness. When you love someone, show and share it. As when you no longer can…..it really hurts.

Lovingly…Jo