Bernice Stilwell 1920-2004

STILWELL, TARRANT, FOLSOM, FLEMING, WALKER, ZAHASKY, SMRCINA, STEELE

Posted By: Allamakee co. Coordinator
Date: 9/9/2006 at 20:50:22

Bernice "Bernie" Stilwell, 83, of Waukon, died peacefully in her sleep Tuesday, May 4, 2004, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services were held Friday, May 7 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. Joseph Schneider, Fr. Louis Trzil, and Rev. Msg. Ed Lechtenberg officiating. Burial was in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon. Martin Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Bernice Ann "Bernie" was born October 23, 1920, in Postville, Iowa, the daughter of Dr. Austin, DVM, and Anna (Tarrant) Folsom. As a young girl, she moved with her family to Waukon, where she graduated from Waukon High School and attended Waukon Junior College. In June of 1941, she married Robert Howe Stilwell in Missouri. They traveled and worked at several places throughout the country until Bob joined the Navy during World War II and Bernie worked in an aircraft factory in Racine, Wis. Following the war, they returned to Waukon. Bernie worked as bookkeeper for their business, Bob Stilwell, General Contractor. She later worked many years in the office at Impro Products and for West Side Waukon Lumber, both of Waukon.

In 1980, Bernie moved to Harpers Ferry where she enjoyed living by the river feeding the birds, watching nature, and taking care of her house and yard. She had been a resident at Good Samaritan Center for a little over a year. Bernie was a woman of strong faith and was an active member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Waukon, where she taught CCD and served on several committees. While living in Harpers Ferry, she was a member of St. Ann's/St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

Throughout her life, her family remained most important to her. Caring for her husband, children, and grandchildren was always Bernie's first priority. Survivors include six children, Camey Fleming of Chicago, Dave (Pat) Stilwell of Waukon, Mary Gail (John) Walker of Verona, Wis., Marsha (Tom) Zahasky of Marshfield, Wis., Susan (Dick) Smrcina of Norwalk, Iowa, and Clark (Char) Stilwell of Waukon; 17 grandchildren; a brother, John "Jack" Folsom of Des Moines; and a sister, Irene Steele of Waukon. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Robert, who died in 1971; a grandchild; two brothers, Lester and Cloy Folsom; and a sister, Myrt Folsom. Casketbearers are her grandchildren, Cory, Sean, and Kevin Fleming; Tami, Bob, and Cody Stilwell; Susannah, Rachel, and Jessica Walker; Sara Johnson; Ben and Brianna Zahasky; Kali, Shana, and Johanna Smrcina; and Scott and Angie Stilwell.

©Waukon Standard 2004
Waukon Standard, 5/12/2004
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