Funeral services for Bernice Marie Yanke of Ellendale, MN, will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at the First Lutheran Church in Ellendale. Pastor Richard L. Sliper will officiate. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the First Lutheran Cemetery, Ellendale.
Bernice died on Saturday, January 14, 2012 at the Homestead Hospice in Owatonna, MN. She was 87 years of age.
Bernice was born February 15, 1924 in freeborn County, the daughter of Harold and Cora (Rickhiem) Loberg. She grew up in rural Ellendale, graduated from Ellendale High School in 1942 and began working at the First National Security Bank in Ellendale. She also worked for Jostens Jewelry in Owatonna, MN. On June 3rd, 1951 she was united in marriage to Willis Arron Yanke. They made their home in Ellendale. To this marriage two sons were born, DeWayne Arron Yanke on October 5, 1954 and Bruce Daniel Yanke on October 27, 1960.
Bernice was a lifetime member of the First Lutheran Church in Ellendale and was active in the Altar Guild, Bible Study and all church activities. Other enjoyments were raising her family, great involvements with many years of Cub Scouts, watching her family grow up and many events with fishing.
Bernice truly loved life, her family and people in general with all of her heart. She volunteered the majority of her time in the Ellendale and Owatonna Libraries and many years at the Cedar View Nursing Home in Owatonna. She also loved writing articles for the Ellendale Eagle Newspaper.
Bernice is survived by her son Bruce and Jeanette of Ellendale, MN, granddaughter Michelle, daughter of DeWayne and Melanie Yanke, grandchildren; Cherish, Ashley, Michael, Matthew and Joey. Brother Raymond and Doris Loberg of Ellendale, MN, Brother Laverne and Marilyn Loberg of Ellendale, MN, niece Linda (Patrick) Gronlund, nephews Steven and Larry Loberg, and numerous other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her parents Harold and Cora Loberg, husband Willis Arron Yanke, son and daughter in law DeWayne and Melanie Yanke, and Brother Carol (Genelle) Loberg.