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Werner, Bernice Matilda Elizabeth (Burmeister)
Bernice Matilda Elizabeth (Burmeister) Werner went to be with her Lord on Thursday, May 9, 2013. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 16, at the Solon United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 until 7 p.m. Wednesday at Brosh Chapel in Solon.
Bernice was born to John and Clara Burmeister on Sept. 23, 1922, in Lowden, Iowa. The family moved to Clarence, where she attended country school. Bernice helped on the farm and with her younger siblings.
Bernice moved to Iowa City, where she married Robert “Roy” Werner on Dec. 19, 1945. She worked as a homemaker, enjoying gardening, canning, cooking, sewing and especially making pie.
Bernice and Roy had their son, Thomas Robert, and 10 1/2 years later, welcomed Scott Roy.
After moving all around Iowa due to Roy's work, they made their home in Solon. They built the first permanent home in Twin View Heights and enjoyed living on the water. Bernice especially enjoyed spending time on her sons' boat on Lake Macbride. Bernice became active in the Solon American Legion Auxiliary, Solon Methodist Women and helped start the Boy Scouts in Solon, where she was a den mother for Scott's Cub Scouts. She made many a pie for the football dinners at the church.
Bernice spent a lot of time with her grandchildren and great-granddaughter. She spent her later years enjoying nature and her family. She and Roy became “snowbirds,” traveling to Yuma, Ariz., every winter for 12 years and spent 62 magical years together.
Bernice was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Roy, and two sisters, Eileen (Elmer) Lendt and Luella (Wayne) Hodgden.
Bernice is survived by her two sons, Thomas Werner of Solon and Scott Werner of Stillwater, Minn.; three grandchildren, Laura Powers (Matt McCollough) of Maple Lake, Minn., Shane Werner of Machesney Park, Ill., and Rebecca Werner of Solon; great-granddaughter, Miranda Powers of Maple Lake, Minn.; sisters, Shirley (Harlan) Meyer and Kennetha (Arnold) Meier; brothers, Lloyd (Fannie) Burmeister and Dale Burmeister; and many nieces and nephews.
Bernice touched countless lives and will live on through the memories of others.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com
Published May 12, 2013 in The Gazette
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