After living in an apartment at Excelsior for a while, the couple lived in Victoria, where Lloyd bought a house behind the Cenex station, a house that has since been demolished.  In 1997 they bought the brick rambler on Victoria Drive, just up from the Hollow and down from the Church.  It continues to be their home today.
During all of this time since 1980, Susie has been working at the Waconia Good Samaritan nursing home as a Certified Nursing Assistant.  It's where she has come to know many Victoria people, residents as well as those who visit the residents and others who work at the home.
"I love it there," she stated.  "I love the old people.  My whole life I've done for other people.  I will retire at the end of this year.  I'll be 65 and ½, and we want to do some traveling while we've got our health."  All totaled, Susie has now worked 36 years as a CNA! 
Between them, Lloyd and Susie have 11 children, 23 grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren.  The numbers are at the top of their recall and so are their names.  Let's do the Bonkoski seven first.
David, lives at Foley and is an antique dealer.  Karen lives at Missouri, has four children, and works for Kraft Cheese.  Genevieve lives in Missouri, has two children, and works at the Dollar Store.  Barbara, who died of lung cancer, had four children.  Diane lives in Robbinsdale, has one child, and works for the St. Paul Post Office.  Bruce lives at Foley, has one child, and is a small engine repair man.  Aaron lives in Missouri and has two children.
Susie's four include Debra, a housekeeper who lives in Mankato and has two children; Paul, a surveyor who lives in Rogers and has four children; Lois, a factory worker who lives in Brainerd and has three children; and Richard who lives in Young America and works for a printing company.

It's safe to say that Susie's first marriage of 24 years was difficult, and that her second marriage is a blessing.  What made her respond to Lloyd's attentiveness at Willmar Ford?  "I was never going to get married again," she replied.  "I was not looking for anyone.  But Lloyd was different.  He was quiet, soft spoken.  He dressed well.  He never smoke and drank.  That all impressed me."
If Susie was giving advice to her own children or to any young married people today she would tell them, "Do things together.  Don't go your separate ways with girls night out and boys night out.  Communicate.  Go on vacations together.  You've got to have a good relationship between you for your kids to see and respect."
Lloyd would tell young people of all ages, "Listen to advice from your mother and father."
Lloyd said he was fortunate to meet Susie.  "I didn't like living alone.  I'd go over to Susie's house for company and I liked her cooking.  It was never just a sandwich.  It was always a meal."  In other words, Susie puts heart and soul into her cooking as well as her nursing career.
At the age of 84, Lloyd remains in remarkable good health.  "I don't take any pills," he said.  "I eat well and I like rare steak."  Susie said he likes rich foods and "cream cream and butter butter and whole milk and lots of sweets."
Each winter the Bonkoski's go to Arizona for a time.  When Susie retires this fall from "taking care of everybody," they'll spend more time in Arizona.  And when they're sitting together under the shade of a eucalyptus tree, they will give thanks for their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. 
Susie will give thanks for her quiet well-mannered husband.  Lloyd will give thanks for Susie's good care and cooking.  He'll notice her smiles.  She'll notice his youth.  Together they have even more heart and soul than alone.
Happy Valentine's Day, Lloyd and Susie, and thank you for your story.