Kenyon, MN - Deborah Joyce (Muri) Bohnhoff, age 73, of Kenyon, passed away peacefully in her home on May 17, 2025 after a courageous fight with cancer.
Deborah was born on January 18, 1952, at the Owatonna Hospital to parents Maynard & Yvonne (Lawson) Muri. She grew up in the friendly, close-knit town of Geneva, Minnesota, and graduated from Ellendale High School, where she was a cheerleader, a majorette, and worked at the Cottage Café. She particularly enjoyed her drives to school with friends.
She began her career at Jostens in Owatonna, where she met her future husband, Jim Bohnhoff, who was attending Iowa State. Deb moved to Ames, Iowa, and worked at a record store while planning their outdoor wedding. They married on August 25, 1973, on the grounds of St. Mary's Catholic Church, surrounded by cornfields, a white arbor, and many potted flowers.
After the wedding, they returned to Ames, where Deb began working for Paul Harris Stores. She quickly advanced to assistant manager and was offered a manager position at a new store opening in Kansas City, Missouri. She helped open the new store but resigned because of the unethical way upper management was treating the young women she worked with - she would have none of that.
Deb and Jim moved to Northfield, Minnesota, on January 1, 1976, settling into an apartment a few blocks from downtown. Deb started working at the newly opened Country Road clothing store, next door to a vacant retail space on the corner of the Central Block building. With her entrepreneurial spirit and vision, Deb founded The Rare Pair Fine Footwear, opening the store with the help of Ellen Cox and others on August 25, 1977. At the October 1977 grand opening, the once-vacant space featured three new stores: The Rare Pair, Garden of Edan, and Earthbound Energy. The Rare Pair expanded quickly, adding clothing and accessories in 1983. Deb's goal was to create a fun, professional environment where young women could learn the importance of great customer service and product knowledge. Over 15 years, she mentored and trained more than 100 sales associates. In 1992, she sold the store to Krin Finger, and it continued to thrive, recently celebrating over 47 years in the community. Deb was especially pleased that all the store's subsequent owners have been women.
In 1978, Deb and Jim moved to a farmstead near Fox Lake, where they welcomed a beautiful collie named Mahogany, Woody the cat, chickens, and a garden, all ready for the children they eagerly awaited. Mari Bohnhoff was born on July 1, 1983, and adopted from Korea on September 29, 1983. Soon thereafter, Erik Bohnhoff was born at the U of M Hospital on September 10, 1984. Deb balanced owning a retail store with raising two amazing children, doing so with kindness, creativity, and joy.
Deb taught confirmation for several years at St. Dominic's, where she enjoyed lively conversations with the youthful confirmands. She also cherished attending Mari and Erik's many events at Prairie Creek, Northfield High School, St. Olaf, and Augsburg Colleges.
In addition to her love of family and work, Deb and Jim enjoyed exploring the many fun and interesting places throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin. On their honeymoon trip to Colorado, they found themselves shopping in the same "hip" clothing store as Bonnie Raitt, ran into Claudine Longet, and said hello to President Gerald Ford.
Each holiday season, Deb skillfully chose and Jim cut down a "unique" evergreen tree from a local tree farm. She would spend over a week artfully decorating it with her special collection of Christmas ornaments and much love.
Flowering plants and gardening were lifelong passions. She took great care in planning, planting, and tending to the baskets, pots, and beds around the house. She was known to her friends for "deadheading" their flowers too!
An avid golfer, Deb was slowed down by a heat stroke that kept her from playing in hot weather, but in cooler temperatures, she had a sweet swing and a steady demeanor. She kept close track of her chip-ins and birdies each year. She loved every time she took a walk on the course.
Deb loved being outdoors - hiking, snowshoeing, ice skating, cross-country skiing, swimming, and water aerobics were all natural for her. She walked most days in all kinds of weather. During the pandemic, she began practicing Qi Gong as taught by Master Lin and others, which kept her limber and focused.
Deb and Jim started the business Rural Urban Walkingwear, selling walking-related shirts and accessories through catalogs. In 1991, they opened the WALK shop at the Mall of America. Recently they had been working on new shirt designs featuring enhanced visibility.
In all her other jobs - whether helping customers at the Nordic Shops in Rochester, offering on-course hospitality at the beautiful Somerby Golf Course in Byron, or working in the tasting room and as the hat buyer at Alexis Bailly Winery - Deb served people from all walks of life with passion, a smile, and genuine care.
Deb's number one greatest joy was spending time with her lively grandsons Jefory and Johnny!
Deb was a longtime member of the Northfield chapter of the philanthropic organization PEO Sisterhood. She deeply valued and treasured the friendships and connections she had made with so many wonderful women.
A very special thank you to the Northfield Hospital, Dr. Erickson, and the Heartland Hospice staff - especially nurses Tina and Nancy - who were available at all times and so helpful and caring during a challenging time.
Deborah was predeceased by her mother and father, Yvonne (Lawson) Muri and Maynard Muri and mother and father in-law, Maxine (Roscoe) Bohnhoff and Carl Bohnhoff and brother in-law John Bohnhoff. She is survived by her husband of 53 years James Bohnhoff; her daughter, Mari Bohnhoff; her son, Erik Bohnhoff and wife, Amanda (Johnson) Bohnhoff and her beloved grandsons, Jeffory and Jonathan. Her sister, Susan (Muri) Richards, and husband, Dan Richards; her brother, Brian Muri, and wife, Pam Muri.
Mass of Christian Burial was at 11:00 AM, Thursday, June 5, 2025, at the Church of St. Dominic in Northfield. Visitation was from 4-7 PM, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at Bierman, Benson & Langehough Funeral Home in Northfield, and continued one hour prior to the service at the church. A reception followed mass at the church. Arrangements are with Bierman, Benson & Langehough Funeral Home & Crematory. www.northfieldfuneral.com
A poem written by Deborah, found among her writings:
"There was a time.. I loved my life...
I loved my work... I loved adopting.. I loved giving birth
I loved my animals.. I loved to travel anywhere
I loved going to church.. I loved my friends
I loved dining with good friends around a large table - mine or theirs
I loved golf and all my wonderful walks
Snowshoeing, ice skating, cross-country skiing, swimming, and water aerobics
I loved being a teen cheerleader and a majorette leading the band My clarinet - not so much
I loved to dance, always
Most of all I loved my family!!"
-Deborah Muri Bohnhoff
"Easter Sunday 2025 - Jim and I listened and watched St. Cecilia in Boston.. Father John.. Beautiful
We watched the Saturday night vigil, hand in hand Just like The Notebook"
One of Deb's last written notes
