Bernice Pevestorf

    Bernice Emma Pevestorf was born September 24, 1931 in Coon Rapids, Iowa, to Elmer Pevestorf and Marie Deeth Pevestorf.  She went back to the Lord on October 7, 2017 at 86 years of age.

   Bernice grew up on her family’s farm northeast of town.  She was baptized and confirmed in Trinity Lutheran Church.  She attended country school through the 8th grade, where her sister, Mildred, was her teacher for three years.  Bernice graduated from Coon Rapids High School.  After graduation, she worked with her parents on their farm and also worked at various jobs in Coon Rapids, one of which was waitressing.

   In 1963, Bernice moved to Denver where she stayed two years with her sister and her sister’s family.  She worked at Mountain Bell Telephone Company while in Denver, and moved to an apartment with her friend, Betty Bernhardt, whom she met at the telephone company.  Bernice enjoyed traveling and made a trip to Hawaii.  In 1970 she met and married Leon Burke.  She and Leon lived in Denver for a while, and later moved to Texas where they lived until the marriage ended in 1979.  Bernice moved back to Coon Rapids and lived in Coon until her death.

   Bernice joined Ascension Lutheran Church when she returned to Coon.  She worked at various jobs in town, cleaning the church, tasks at the nursing home and doing in-home care.  She also volunteered in many activities, including playing the organ for church services, and assisting at congregate meals.  Bernice loved her quilting club, playing Skip-Bo and all sorts of card games, cooking, music and dancing.  She loved to fish in earlier days with her family. 

   In failing health in the last year, Bernice moved from her apartment in town to Thomas Rest Haven.  She and her family were grateful to all those who helped her, with special thanks to cousins Mike and Patty Deeth for all their care. Bernice is survived by her older sister, Mildred DeRose, nephews Joseph (Jill) DeRose, Dominic (Marguerite) DeRose, and Edward DeRose, nieces Linda, Teresa, Martha and Diane DeRose, grand nephews Jeff and Joey, and numerous cousins.

   Bernice understood a sense of duty to her community and family.  She was a person of unending faith in the Lord.  She wanted to be active in social events, help out wherever she could, and remained a genuinely caring person throughout her life.  She held a deep love for her parents, sister and family members.  She remembered birthdays with special calls, graduations, weddings, and kept up on all the family news.  Holidays could always expect a remembrance from Aunt Bernice for her nieces and nephews.  She was determined to find happiness and purpose in her life, and surely has been welcomed joyfully into God’s kingdom.

Reverend Terry Mogensen, Officiant

Music

 “Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken”   

 “Lord, Take My Hands and Lead Me”

Carolyn Flook, Organist   

Casket Bearers

Doug Pevestorf    Brian Heisterkamp  

Jeff Hachmeister   Johnny Hachmeister

Interment

Willow Township Cemetery