Bernice Willers Obituary

Bernice M. Willers, 98, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 3, 2019 at May Creek Lodge in Walker, Minn.  
    She was born July 7, 1920 in Florence Township, Goodhue County, to Roy and Mathilda (Wimmer) Watson and united in marriage to Ruben O. Willers on June 27, 1943.  Only when her health failed prompting a move to West St. Paul and later to Walker to be near her daughter, she called Lake City home for most of her life.
    Bernice is survived by her son, Linn (Jane) Willers, of Saint Augustine, Fla; daughter, Barbara (Russell) Buck, of Lake George, Minn.; five grandchildren, Aaron (Kathy) Buck of Spring Lake Park, Minn., Stephen Buck of Lake George, Minn.,  Paula (Mark) Newinski of Cottage Grove, Minn., Carrie (Matt) Howard of Aurora, Colo., and Chris (Kate) Willers of Aurora; four great-grandchildren, Rachel Newinski of Mankato, Roman Newinski of Cottage Grove, Samantha Buck and Mackenzie Buck, both of Spring Lake Park; nieces Mary (Watson) Scarborough, Carol (Watson) Beckman, Karen Willers, Diane (Willers) Tri; and nephew, Curtis Larson. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Merlyn Watson; sisters-in-law, Ruth (Grobe) Watson, Elenora (Willers) Larson, Anita (Willers) Willers and Marjorie (Plote) Willers; and brothers-in-law, Winfred Larson, Arnold Willers and Raymond Willers.
    Although she was small, she was a mighty woman.  She was a devote Christian, strong matriarch, loyal friend and neighbor to many.  She enjoyed time with others playing cards, attending daily exercise class, dining out, and traveling.   Her talents were shared in her many years of work as a single room school teacher in the Bellechester School and the Red School and later working in the American Bank, formerly known as the Lake City State Bank, in Lake City.  
    A special thank you to the wonderful staff that cared for her at May Creek Lodge in Walker.
    Memorial Service will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church in Lake City, where she and husband Ruben were founding members of, on Saturday, May 25, at 11 a.m., with visitation one hour prior to service. Memorials are preferred to Bethany Lutheran Church in Lake City, in lieu of flowers.
    Funeral arrangements are by the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Anderson-Peterson Chapel in Lake City.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.