POESCH, Bernice Ione (Brainard) 1930 - 2018

BRAINARD, SMITH, POESCH, FRIEDERICH, SHEPHERD, WALKER, JEROME, SCHORI, WALBY GLAIM, ENYART, RUPNICK, RADLOFF, RURUP, TEMPLETON, BENNETT, BARRON

Posted By: Connie Ellis (email)
Date: 1/18/2018 at 14:50:04

SOURCE: Geilenfeld Funeral Home posting Oelwein, Iowa
Contributor: Connie Ellis (Not related)

Bernice Ione Poesch, age 87, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Arlington Place in Oelwein, Iowa on January 5, 2018. Bernice was born on February 15, 1930 in Post Township, Allamakee County, Iowa to George and Eva (Smith) Brainard. She was raised in Postville, Iowa, graduating from the Postville High School in 1947 and taught at West Grove Country School for two years. On December 18, 1948, Bernice married Leslie Poesch. They lived in Postville and in 1976, remodeled and moved to the Brainard family farm in which she was raised. Leslie passed away in 1983 and on April 5, 1986 she married Lester Friederich. They lived in Luana, Iowa.

Bernice was a long-time member of the Post-Franklin Study Club. She also belonged to the Eva Circle at the St. Paul Lutheran Church, the Grand Meadow Country Club, and was an honorary member of the United Presbyterian Women. Throughout her life Bernice greatly enjoyed her children and grandchildren, sharing her great sense of humor with them. She enjoyed friends, gardening, flower arranging, bowling, golfing, water skiing, bicycling, knitting, and baking. Bernice loved the outdoors and exercise. She moved next door to her daughter and son-in-law, Elaine and Miron Walker in Oelwein, Iowa in 2013 where she continued to walk the neighborhood, and bake cinnamon rolls, pies, and chocolate chip cookies.

Bernice is survived by her four children: Donna (Ron Shepherd) Poesch of LeClaire, Iowa; Elaine (Miron) Walker of Oelwein, Iowa; Lowell (Sally) Poesch of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Charles (Karma) Poesch of Allentown, Pennsylvania. She is survived by her three step-children: Annette Rurup, Denise Friederich, and April (T-Bird) Templeton. Her nine grandchildren: Steven Jerome, Carrie (Abel Miller) Walker, Gregory Walker, Dylan (Jacobi) Poesch, Erika Poesch, Carly, Chris, Collin, and Chelsea Poesch and by her two step-grandchildren: Jessica (Bryan) Bennett and family, and Austin Rurup. In addition Bernice is survived by her sisters-in-law Darlene Brainard, Shirley Brainard, Orril Brainard, niece Carol Barron, and numerous nieces, nephews, and their families.

Bernice is preceded in death by her parents George and Eva Brainard; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Edward and Melvina Poesch; her husband Leslie Poesch, husband Lester Friederich; infant daughter Anne Catherine Poesch and grandson Casey Jay Walker. Bernice was also preceded in death by her seven brothers and sisters-in-law: Dale (Erna) Brainard, Lee (Donna) Brainard, John (Shirley) Brainard, Keith (Jenetta) Brainard, Ray Brainard, Gene (Charlene) Brainard, and Edgar Brainard; her two sisters and brothers-in-law Barbara (Kenneth) Schori and Janice (Leland) Walby Glaim, and Russell Enyart, Jr. who made his home with the Brainard family after his mother passed away when he was a small child. Also preceding her in death were her brother-in-law Lyle Poesch and sister-in-law Jessie Poesch; nieces Jana Rupnick and Rhonda Radloff and nephew Bradley Brainard.

There will be a Celebration of Life Service at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville, Iowa on Saturday, February 24, 2018 with visitation at 11:00 a.m. and Memorial Service at 12:00 p.m.

Allamakee Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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