Cynthia Lois Pansegrau

Cynthia Lois Pansegrau, of Bella Vista, Arkansas passed away on March 29, 2025. She was born on January 16, 1935, in What Cheer, Iowa to Vernon and Miriam Johnson. Cynthia was two years old when her mother died of pneumonia. She was raised by her paternal grandmother since her father was in the Army. When her father returned after World War II and remarried, Cynthia chose to remain with her grandmother. She always called her “Mom.” She attended grade school and high school in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She started looking for a job at an early age and when she was 15, she started working in a drug store and did babysitting. She saved money for college, as she aspired to be a nurse. She graduated from McKinley High School in 1952.

That fall, she enrolled in the nursing program at the University of Iowa. It was there, on a blind date, that she met the love of her life, in the fall of 1953. It was clear after several more dates that Duane, a sophomore medical student, and Cynthia were destined to be inseparable. Duane proposed to Cynthia over Christmas vacation in 1955. They were married on August 10, 1956, at St. Paul Lutheran Chapel in Iowa City where they were members. Following their honeymoon, they moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where Duane was an intern and Cynthia worked as an RN. In July 1957, they moved back to Iowa City.

Duane started his surgical training, and Cynthia was a nurse at University Hospital. In September 1958, Duane was called to active duty in the USAF. While in the Air Force their son, Paul, and daughter, Susan, were born. After being discharged, they lived in Karlstad, MN, where Cynthia was happy to be a full-time mother. In 1965, the family moved to Marshfield, WI, where Becky was born. After a brief stay, they moved again, this time to Grand Forks, ND, where they spent the next 25 years full-time and another 25 years part-time. Cynthia took an intense interest in rehabilitation nursing and was a certified rehab nurse at the Rehabilitation Hospital for many years. After retirement she enjoyed winters in Arkansas and summers at their lake cottage in Morson, ON, Canada. She liked being out on the water and always seemed to catch the most fish. She always took her embroidery machine to the lake and embroidered many aprons, sweatshirts, etc. to give away. Blueberry picking was always a treat for her.

Another retirement desire was to get her pilot’s license. This was followed by an instrument rating. She flew to many local airports, as well as a number of long cross-country flights. The last years of her life were spent in Arkansas and summers. Cynthia was a devoted and caring mother, a devout Christian, and a loving wife.

Cynthia was preceded in death by and is reuniting in heaven with her treasured and dear grandmother who raised her parents, C. Vernon & Renata Johnson and Miriam (Gutknecht) Johnson; in-laws Adolph & Ruth Pansegrau; and sisters-in-laws, Anita Pansegrau & Sue Pansegrau.

Cynthia is survived by her husband of 68 years, Duane; her son, Paul (Andrea); daughters, Susan (Jim) Behnken and Becky (Ron) Bequette; seven grandchildren, Jacob (Carrie) Behnken, Kelly (Russ) VanDerWerff, Katie (Josh) Gebert, Joshua (Kyla) Behnken, Christopher (Christie) Pansegrau, Lydia Pansegrau, and Daniel Bequette; two step grandchildren, Mike (JoAnna) Bequette and Joe (Margaret) Bequette; 15 great grandchildren; siblings, Douglas (Glenna) Johnson and Marcia (Ralph) Hecox; and brothers-in-laws, Marvin Pansegrau and Donald Pansegrau.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 3, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 14070 AR-279, Hiwasse, AR 72739. A funeral service will be held on Friday, April 4, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, with ice cream and cake to be served following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Hiwasse (Bella Vista) or charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com. Local arrangements are with Amundson Funeral Home, Grand Forks, ND