Lonnie D. Bristol

Lonnie D. Bristol, 81, of Mankato, passed away on Wednesday, September 24th, at home, after a short battle with cancer.

Lonnie was born in Mankato, Minnesota, on October 20, 1943, to Donald and Ruth Bristol of Madelia. He was raised on a farm in rural Madelia where he raised and showed prize winning Southdown sheep through the 4-H program. He attended country school until the third grade and from there, he went to the public school graduating from Madelia High School in 1961. While in high school, Lonnie was active in football and wrestling. He attended Eastern Arizona College for two years and transferred to Mankato State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business. Lonnie began his career with State Farm Insurance in November of 1966. He always lived by the adage “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life”. He participated in Bible Study Fellowship, Community Bible Study, The Gideons International and was a member of Hosanna Lutheran Church.

Early in his career, he attended a national convention of State Farm agents and was inspired by the keynote speaker, Don Rood, Senior Agency Vice President. Mr. Rood challenged the agents to live the State Farm philosophy, “Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there”, but then he said he wanted to add something. “Love the neighbor, that’s pure Gospel.” Lonnie loved the neighbor.

Lonnie is survived by his wife of 62 years, Catherine, son Corey (Kimberly Sue) and their children, Jordan, Haley, and Logan Bristol and Sommer (Noah) Gomez, daughter Stacey (Todd) Fecura and their children, Madeline (Lucien) Schallehn, Abigail and Lillian Fecura, son K. Matthew (Kimberly Ann) Bristol and their children Jacob (Madysen), Joanna and Julia Bristol and son Samuel Bristol, as well as two great grandsons, Lucien and Declan. He is also survived by his brother, Gerald, three nephews, and sister-in-law, Carol Severson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Donald Jr; sister, Barbara and her husband, Larry Bowman; sister-in-law, Phyllis Bristol; and his father and mother-in-law, Ira and Frances Davis.

Funeral Service will be held on Friday, October 3, 2025, at Hosanna Lutheran Church in Mankato. Visitation begins at 11:00 a.m. with funeral service at 1:00 p.m. A time of fellowship will follow the service.

Memorials may be given to Hosanna Lutheran Church.