Schmidt, Bernice Leota Olson

Bernice Leota Olson Schmidt, 89, of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, March 19, 2011, at St. Luke's Living Center West. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 24, at Hope Lutheran Church, with Pastor Dan Clark-Bridges presiding. Burial will be at Cedar Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling St. SW.

Bernice was born Dec. 2, 1921, at the family farm near Newhall, to Peter Mandius and Nellie Johnson Olson. She married Duane L. Schmidt on April 27, 1941, at Benton Lutheran Church north of Norway. During World War II, they lived in New York and Bernice worked at Camp Shanks where Duane was stationed. After the war, they owned and operated the Lincoln Cafe in downtown Cedar Rapids. Later, they built and managed The Twin Poplar Motel in southwest Cedar Rapids for 30 years, until their retirement in 1978.

Duane and Bernice were charter members of Hope Lutheran Church and were active in the life of the church. Bernice was active in Women of Hope, Church Women United and New Encounters of Cedar Rapids.

Bernice is survived by her son, Jerry (Sharon) Schmidt of Cedar Rapids; a daughter, Pam Hansen of Cedar Rapids; seven grandchildren, Randy (Kelly), Richmond, Kevin (Shannon Anderson) Schmidt, Carrie (Tom) Detweiler, Carsandra (Adam) Robinson, Carla Hansen and Crystal (Scott) Richards; 18 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandson; a sister-in-law, Marcella Olson, of Cedar Rapids; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Duane on Sept. 18, 1988; a daughter, Candis Stark; grandchildren, Carisa Schmidt and Jonathan Stark; sisters, Margaret Harrison and Frances Melhus; and her brothers, Omer, Evan, Glenn and Loraine Olson.

Memorials may be directed to Hope Lutheran Church and/or Iowa Hospice.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at .