TROUT, Bernice R. Jones Risse 1901-1991

JONES, RISSE, TROUT

Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 3/5/2008 at 11:06:59

(St. Ansgar Enterprise, St. Ansgar, Iowa; 19 SEP 1991 )

Funeral services for Bernice R. Trout, 89, of Osage, who died Thursday September 5 at Maple Manor Nursing Home in Osage, were held Monday, September 9 at Champion Funeral Home, Osage, with the Rev. Richard Zellmer officiating.

Bernice Trout was born October 5, 1901 to Jay and Louella Jones of Mitchell.

She graduated from Osage High School and was a student of Cedar Valley [Seminary]. Bernice began her teaching career in 1919 at McIntire, then later took an opening at the Mitchell School System.

She was united in marriage to Harvey Risse in 1925 at which time she transfered to the Marble Rock Schools where both of them taught for the next five years.

She continued her teaching career in the St. Ansgar, Mitchell and Osage schools. For 34 years she was a devoted teacher, providing many children with an ability to learn.

After retiring, she worked as hostess and guide at the Laura Ingalls Wilder home in Mansfield, Missouri. She had become intrigued with the books written by Laura while still teaching and had been involved with the home during the summer months for 22 years.

She spent part of her retirement years in Mesa, Arizona. Bernice was united in marriage March 16, 1976 to Herbert Trout. They resided until 1987 in Patagonia, Arizona before they returned to Iowa in 1987. Bernice was preceded in death by her parents and both husbands.

Bernice was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church. She was a Sunday School teacher and organist for many years when the Mitchell Church was active. Of all all her achievements, the most rewarding one was her lifelong love of teaching chidlren to make the best that was possible of their lives.

She will be missed by many including two who consider [her] their second mother. They are Evelyn Bartlett of Waverly and Lois Thomas of Minneaplis, Minn.

Burial was in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Mitchell.