116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
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Prunskunas, Bernice J.
Bernice J. Prunskunas, 96, of 398 Memorial Dr. SE, died at her home on Thursday, June 17, 2010. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 24, at All Saints Catholic Church. The Rev. David O'Connor will officiate. Friends may call on Thursday at the church where there will be a rosary recited at 9:30 a.m. Inurnment: St. John's Cemetery, with military rites. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include a sister, Stella Pudzuvelis, and two nephews, John (Kathleen) and Peter (Pamm) Pudzuvelis, all of Cedar Rapids.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Caroline Prunskunas; and a brother-in-law, Bill Pudzuvelis.
Bernice was born June 13, 1914, in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of Peter and Marcella (Gargarovich) Prunskunas. She graduated from St. Patrick High School in 1932 and from Mercy School of Nursing. For six years she worked for Dr. Arthur Erskine, a pioneer in x-ray technology and cancer patient care. When World War II broke out, Bernice and her sister, Caroline, joined the Navy Nurse Corps. They were stationed in Attu in the Aleutian Islands from 1943-45. While Caroline made a career of the Navy, Bernice returned home where she made her career as a registered nurse at First Avenue X-Ray Office. She joined the Naval Reserve and retired 21 years later with the rank of lieutenant commander. After Caroline retired from the Navy, she and Bernice lived together for many years.
Bernice was a member of All Saints Catholic Church, where many of her friendships were formed. She enjoyed decorating the church for the holidays and organizing crafts bazaars. Bernice cared for Caroline during her long illness until her death and when Stella lost her husband, Bill, she invited Stella into her home. Bernice truly led a life of service to her country, church and family and will be dearly missed.
Memorial donations may be given to All Saints Catholic Church or the charity of the donor's choice.
The family would like to express their deep appreciation to Dr. Schroeder, hospice and the Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center for the wonderful care given to Bernice.
Please leave a message or tribute to Bernice's family on the Web page, under obituaries.
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