Obit: Hansen, Berniece M. (1918 - 2007)

Transcribed by: Crystal Wendt

Surnames: Hansen, Kuehn, Pevonka, Richardson, Kozlowski, Gulhaugen

---Source: Foto News (Merrill, Lincoln County, Wis.) Wednesday, 18 April 2007; page 10

---Hansen, Berniece M. (7 Jan. 1918 - 10 April 2007)

Berniece M. Hansen

Berniece M. Hansen, 89, died Tuesday, April 10, 2007, at Woodland Court in Merrill under Aspirus Care and Hospice Services.

Berniece was born Jan. 7, 1918, in the town of Belle Plaine, Shawano County, to the late William and Pearl Kuehn. On May 26, 1940, she married William Wallace "Willis" Hansen. Their marriage, was, in fact, the first wedding ceremony performed in the "new" Christus Lutheran Church, a building and congregation that would become the focal point of their lives.

For 19 years, Berniece taught Sunday school while being very active in a variety of other church activities. Willis and Berniece operated a farm for many years and in 1964 earned the Waupaca County Banker's Award for best farming practices. Later, he became an assessor for the town of Matteson and then developed an assessing business with which Berniece helped until his death on May 20, 1967. After the death of her beloved Willis, Berniece attended Antigo Teacher's College and UW Stevens Point where she earned her bachelor of education degree in 1972. After completing her undergraduate work, she first taught as a substitute teacher in the Clintionville District (1972-74) and then moved to Merrill where she taught in the Merrill Public School District from 1974 until her retirement in 1990. While in Merrill she taught in Chapter One programs in Maple Grove, Pine River, Scott, Franklin and Washington elementary schools. Berniece went on to earn her master's degree in education from UW Stevens Point in 1982, after obtaining her reading teacher's license in 1977. All of these educational accomplishments came after Berniece had turned 50. She was a remarkable example of never being too old to accomplish great things and became a symbol of fortitude for her family and others. In Merrill, Berniece was an active member of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church and Good Samaritan Hospital Auxiliary.

Berniece is survived by her son Wayne (Carolyn), Seattle, Wash.; daughters Dianne Pevonka, Jacksonville, Fla.; and Eileen (Jim) Richardson, Merrill; grandchildren Janna Hansen, Boston, Mass.; Drew (Julie) Hansen, Seattle, Wash.; Ashley Pevonka, Maui, Hawaii; Chad (Marcelena) Richardson, Renton, Wash.; and Melanie (Brian) Kozlowski, Wisconsin Rapids; and grandchildren Zachary, Collin and Maggie Kozlowski, Marisa and Lily Richardson, and Will Hansen.

Funeral services were Friday, April 13, at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, Merrill. Rev. Ted Gulhaugen officiated. Burial followed in Graceland Cemetery, Clintonville. The Waid Funeral Home, Merrill, handled the arrangements.

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