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Berns, Mae F.
Mae F. Berns, 96, of Garnavillo, died June 15, 2012, at the Guttenberg Municipal Hospital, surrounded by family, following a massive stroke. Mass of Christian Burial: 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 19, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 206 W. Oak St., Garnavillo, with the Rev. Richard Gaul officiating. Burial: church cemetery. Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, with wake service, at Tuecke-Allyn Funeral Home, 001 Industrial Park Rd., Garnavillo, and one hour before services Tuesday at the church.
Mae was born May 30, 1916, second youngest of 11 children to Francis and Daisy (Carpenter) Farmer in rural Strawberry Point (Cox Creek), Iowa. There she was raised, educated and worked.
On Jan. 28, 1936, she married Raymond Berns. They made their home on the Berns family farm east of Garnavillo, where they farmed together and raised six children. In 1967, they moved to Garnavillo while continuing the daily farming operation. At the age of 91, Mae moved into the Tower Living Center, Garnavillo.
Mae spent her life working with and caring for her family, especially her husband when his health failed. She had a love for antiques, cooking, gardening, card playing and especially spending time with her family.
She was a woman of quiet strength and deep faith.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children: Donald (Carolyn) Berns, St. Olaf; Marilyn (James) Kann, Garnavillo; Jane (David) Siegel, Cedar Rapids; Jeanette (Pat) Thein, Colesburg; son-in-law, James (Melissa) Schmitz, Montfort, Wis.; 18 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren, plus two on the way; one sister, Kathryn O'Brien; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray; her son, Norman Berns; her daughter, Mary Schmitz; daughter-in-law, Betty Berns; her parents; brothers, Dewey, Bryan, Edward and Francis; and sisters, Mamie Miles, Maggie Kellogg, Daisy Kellogg, Nellie Olinger and Clara Farmer.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Garnavillo First Responders, Garnavillo Fire Department, Guttenberg Hospital, Prairie du Chien Hospice, or a charity of your choice.
Published June 17, 2012 in The Gazette
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