Bryce Wendell Bonness, DDS, passed away peacefully in Lincoln, Nebraska, on March 25, 2025, at CHI St. Elizabeth Hospital. He was born in Archer, Nebraska on November 18, 1932, to Arthur Henry and Vera Lucille (Hicks) Bonness.
Bryce grew up in Grand Island, Nebraska and graduated from Grand Island Senior High School in 1950. He is a 1954 graduate of Kearney State Teacher’s College. He served in the Army Medical Corps, stationed in Germany, from 1954-1956. He graduated from Medical Technology School at UNMC in 1958 and went on to run the Blood Bank at University Hospital in Omaha. He attended the UNMC College of Dentistry, graduating in 1964. He later earned a Certification Specialization in Endodontics in 1972 and was in the first graduating class of that program. He was an Associate Professor of Endodontics at the UNMC Dental College, teaching there for 25 years. He also had a private endodontic practice for many years.
He was united in marriage to Donna Rae Martin on April 16, 1960, and moved to Lincoln, Nebraska. Bryce was the best Dad and a proud Papa. He was a die-hard Husker fan and had been a season ticket holder for the football team since 1962. He was a loyal US patriot, savvy coin collector, and loved to travel. Memberships include Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, American Legion #3, American Dental Association, Nebraska Dental Association, American Association of Endodontics, American College of Dentistry, International College of Dentists, Omicron Kappa Epsilon, Burnett Society, and is past president of the Lincoln District Dental Association. He married Carol (McOstrich) Rasmussen on June 8, 2002.
In addition to his parents, Bryce was preceded in death by Donna Martin Bonness in 1999, Carol McOstrich Rasmussen Bonness in 2021, and stepson, Dan in 2024. Left to cherish his memory are his daughter Angela Sue Johnson, son Andrew Scott (Dawn) Bonness, and granddaughters Ashlie Elizabeth Larson, Erin Nicole Larson (Zachary Brown), Alissa Brianne Larson (Travis Ball), Katherine Rae Bonness, and Ella Rose Bonness. Family includes brothers-in-law Stan Martin and Art Hughes, and sisters-in-law, Trudy Else, Patricia Squier, and Patricia Hughes and many nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind 5 great-grandchildren, step-children Karen, Steve, and Laura, and 8 step-grandchildren.
Funeral service: 10:30 am Tuesday, April 1, 2025. Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, 8300 E. Pointe Rd. (Lincoln)
Graveside service with military honors at 1:30 pm at Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery.
Visitation with family greeting friends Monday, March 31, 2025, from 6-7:30 pm at Roper and Sons South Lincoln Chapel, 3950 Hohensee Drive.
Gifts in memory of Dr. Bryce Bonness may be made to the University of Nebraska Foundation for College of Dentistry Scholarship support. P.O. Box 82555, Lincoln, NE, 68501-2555. Please make checks payable to the University of Nebraska Foundation and include on the memo line or enclosed note that the gift is in memory of Dr. Bryce Bonness.
Services
Visitation
6:00 pm-7:30 pm CST
Roper & Sons South Chapel
3950 Hohensee Drive (40th & Yankee Hill)
Lincoln, NE 68516
Funeral Service
10:30 am CST
Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church
8300 E. Pointe Rd., Lincoln, Nebraska
Graveside
1:30 pm CST
Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery
6800 S 14th St, Lincoln, Nebraska
Share a Memory or Condolence
I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Bonness at the College of Dentistry for 45 years. Shortly after starting at the College in 1971, Dr. Bonness contacted me and said we had a connection . . . . we both came from Merrick County. Not many people were familiar with Archer, Nebraska, but I grew up in Central City and over the years, we shared many memories. Dr. Bonness was a credit to his profession but also a very gracious man. Sympathies to his family.
– Bev Longsine Hulsebusch
Obituaries & Services
We’re here
Grief Support
We understand that grieving doesn’t end after the service. We offer Aftercare for grief support as you process and heal from your loss.