Bernice A. Bear 1921-2009

BUSCH, TIESKOTTER, BEAR, FISHER, WURZER, RIMRODT, PETERS

Posted By: Nancy (email)
Date: 9/7/2009 at 13:48:56

A Funeral Mass was celebrated for Bernice A. Bear, 87, of Waucoma, Iowa, at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Waucoma. The Mass celebrant was the Rev. David Beckman.

Music was provided by St. Mary's Choir, Mary Dietzenbach, Phillip Bear, Irene Schroeder, and Jeff Adams.

The pall was placed by Janice Bear, Joann Bear-Wurzer, John Bear, Jolene Rimrodt, and Annis Bear.

Sheila Baird and Robert Busch were the Mass lectors, and Francis Fisher and Linda Fisher presented the Offertory gifts.

Interment was in the church cemetery. Casket bearers were Jenn Brannon, Jeremy Oxendine, Karl Bear, Brian Frenzen, Krista Bear, Kyle Oxendine, and Phillip Bear.

Honorary bearers were Gert Tillman, Bernice Ameling, Agatha Burke, Lucille Kruse, Marie Panos, Betty Bruening, and Lois Baumler.

Burnham-Wood Funeral Home, West Union, was in charge of arrangements.

Bernice's death occurred Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009, at Mercy Medical Center in New Hampton following a brief illness.

Bernice Ann (Busch) Bear, third daughter of Bernard and Dora (Tieskotter) Busch, was born Sept. 27, 1921, in Festina.

She attended St. Mary's Catholic School through the eighth grade. She worked as a hired girl for a number of local farm families until her marriage.

On Nov. 14, 1944, Bernice was united in marriage with Raymond I. Bear of Waucoma at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Festina. Five children were born to this union.

In 1967, Bernice began working as a custodian for the Turkey Valley School District, retiring in 1986.

Bernice was very active in her church and the community through her involvement in the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, the American Legion Auxiliary, and Jolly Old-Timers Club.

She enjoyed playing cards with her friends before the Meal Site lunch and every Tuesday with her 500 Club ladies.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Raymond, on June 14, 1989; her son, James, on July 20, 2007; three brothers, Alfred, Hubert and Ewald Busch; and two sisters, Lorretta Fisher and Regina Busch.

Surviving are her children Janice Bear of West Union, Joann (Don) Bear-Wurzer of LaCrosse, Wis., John (ZoAnn) Bear and Jolene (Dan) Rimrodt, both of New Hampton; seven grandchildren; a sister, Alice Peters of West Union; a sister-in-law, Adalene Busch of Festina; several nieces and nephews; many other relatives and friends.

Fayette County Union - 2 September 2009