HANSMEIER, Bernice E. (Zieman) 1910-2003

HANSMEIER, ZIEMAN, WENSING, KERKENBUSH, FAHLGREN, KERGEL, HOWE, SCHULTZ

Posted By: SGF
Date: 4/25/2004 at 01:45:47

Bernice E. Hansmeier, 92, of Waukon, died Monday, August 18, 2003, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services were held Thursday, August 21 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Waukon, with Rev. Msgr. Ed Lechtenberg and Fr. Joseph Schneider officiating. Burial was in Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon was in charge of arrangements. Bernice Elnora Zieman Hansmeier was born October 12, 1910, in Dorchester, Iowa, the daughter of Frank and Elizabeth (Wensing) Zieman. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary's Catholic Church and attended rural Dorchester area elementary schools and St. Patrick's High School in Waukon. On June 25, 1931, she married Alfred "Red" Hansmeier at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Dorchester. Bernice and Red lived in Waukon where she was a volunteer at Makee Manor for over 40 years, helped with the Women's Relief Corps during World War II, and was a member of St. Theresa's Study Club at St. Patrick's. She also enjoyed working for Red's political career. Bernice liked music and dancing, playing cards, gardening, and taking care of her home. Survivors include a daughter, Ann (Tom) Kerkenbush of Evansville, Wis., and their children Lisa (Brad) Fahlgren of Evansville, Gregory Kerkenbush of McFarland, Wis., and Maj. Martin (Maj. Nicole) Kerkenbush of Balad, Iraq and Lakewood, Wash.; a son, Leon (Suzanne) Hansmeier of Waukon and their children: Annette Hansmeier, Troy Hansmeier (special friend Joy Hillman), and Kim (Neil) Kregel, all of Waukon, and Michael (Michelle Bakke) Hansmeier of Lisbon, Iowa. Great-grandchildren brought Grandma B. much happiness: Paul Hansmeier, Logan and Seth Fahlgren, Desiree and Dallas Kregel, Christopher and Heather Fee, Drew and Chance Hillman, and Justin, Jordin, and Jenna Bakke. Dear nieces Doloris (Glenn) Beckman, Norma (the late Bill) Deeds, Jean (Clarence) Beier, and Joyce (the late Robert) Ruisch, and dear friends further survive her. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; brothers Henry and Jerome; sisters Mary (Frank) Howe and Lilly (Raymond) Schultz; six sisters-in-law, Clara (Ed) Raymond, Ella (Fred) Strelow, Esther (Otto) Kosbau, Lillian (Gilman) Westby, Erna (Roy) Nelson, and Helen Hansmeier; a brother-in-law, Calvin Hansmeier; nephews Fredrick and Marlyn Raymond, Donald and Kleo Kosbau, and Jim Nelson; and nieces Lorna Wilson and Joan (Nelson) Hanson. Memorials may be made to Makee Manor, where Bernice was a resident from 1999 until March of 2003. The family greatly appreciates the wonderful, loving care given to our mother by the Makee Manor administration and staff for the past five years, and to the staff at the Good Samaritan Center for the past five months.

Those we hold most dear never really leave us...
They live on in the Kindness they showed,
The comfort they shared, and the love they brought into our lives.

©Waukon Standard 2003
-source: Waukon Standard August 27, 2003