Obit: Peterson, Bernice Marie (1927 - 2011)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Peterson, Rhodes, Haradon, Jensen, Genteman, Williams, Benninger, Baumgart, Wennesheimer, Olyer, McGuire, Kundinger, Oldham, Williams, Jones, Berkler, VanNatta            

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) September 21, 2011

Bernice Marie Peterson (22 September 1927 –14 September 2011)

Bernice Marie Peterson, 83, of Marshfield died Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2011, at Ministry St. Joseph’s Hospital.

Bernice was born in Early, IA, Sept. 22, 1927, to Fayne and Ruby (Rhodes) Haradon.  She married C. Calvin Peterson Dec. 28, 1947, in Hartley, IA.  He died Jan. 4, 1989.

She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Marshfield and of the Eastern Star Lodge #84 in Owen.

Bernice had a very rewarding working career. She was the school secretary at the Unity Grade School, a pharmacy technician at Ministry St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield, a house parent for Sunburst Youth Homes in Neillsville, Marshfield and Eau Claire, a certified nursing assistant at Edgewater Haven in Port Edwards and a home health care provider in Wisconsin Rapids.

She enjoyed traveling with her husband, Myra, Carla and many friends, especially visiting Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, England and Ireland. Another favorite pastime of Bernice’s was spending time at her home on Lake Sherwood with her family, especially her grandchildren. They spent many hours fishing, swimming, boating and cross country skiing. She was always ready to have fun with them. Everyone enjoyed spending holidays at her home. She opened her home to several foreign exchange students over the years.  "Daughters" Elsbeth Benninger and Pia Meden Baumgart had a special place in her heart. She enjoyed the times they would return for a visit or she was able to visit their homes.  During her years at Sunburst Youth Homes, a special young man, Paul Wennesheimer, entered her life. His visits always meant a lot to her; she was so happy to watch his life prosper and grow.  Paul, Lynelle, Emma and Lee also shared a special place in her heart.

Bernice is survived by her children, Paula (Gary) Jensen, Vesper, Debra (thomas) Genteman, Willard, Carla Peterson, Coleman; son-in-law, Peter Williams of Fraser, MI; special foreign exchange daughters, Elsbeth Benninger, Zurich, Switzerland, and Pia Meden (Michael) Baumgart, Kolding, Denmark, and their children, Solveig and Laerke; special son, Paul (Lynelle) Wennesheimer, Milladore; grandchildren, Sarah (Chuck) Olyer, Hayes, VA, Andy (Andrea) Jensen, Nekoosa, Kaia (Michael) McGuire, Tania (Jim) Kundinger, Marshfield, Dana (Jessie) Genteman, Owen, Brita Oldham, Willard and Kristen Williams, Tupper Lake, N. Y.; 13 grandchildren, Jacob, and Kasey Jensen, Stephen, Kimberley, Lori and Aaron McGuire, Michelle, Heidi, Ryan and Ely Kundinger, Gunner Genteman, Chad and Cody Oldham, and Emma and Lee Wennesheimer; sister, Myra (Darwin) Jones, Rockwell City, IA; sister-in-law, Mary Haradon, Gaylesville, AL; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Calvin; daughters Eda Williams and Rev. R. Karin Peterson; brother, Elwood Haradon; sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Russell Berkler.

Services were held at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 19 at Baker Street Community Church in Wisconsin Rapids. Rev. Milton VanNatta officiated. Visitation was from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday at the Taylor, Vollert and Jennings Funeral Home, and at the church Monday from 10 a.m. until time of services.