Funeral services for Bernice Anderson, 90, of Mobridge will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013, at Norway Lutheran Church. Burial will be in the church cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will start at 2 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, with a prayer service at 7 p.m.
Bernice passed away Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, at Golden Living Center in Mobridge.
Bernice Elda Anderson was born to Edwin and Elda (Fenske) Hansen on Jan. 29, 1923, at the home of Christ and Selma Kuehn in Mobridge. She was baptized in Mound City at the Zion Lutheran church. Bernice was confirmed at Norway Lutheran Church. Bernice attended rural grade school at the Gjeifle School, as a first-grader she was packed in with 35 other students. She also attended Wayside School. Bernice was very shy and so afraid; the teacher would comfort her by holding her on her lap. She went on to graduate from Glenham High School in 1941 and then attended Northern State Teachers College in Aberdeen for one year to get her teaching certificate. She taught three years at the Wayside School and three years at the Duper School, riding to and from the school on horseback. She once stated "I went to school before daylight and came home after dark."
Bernice married Calvin Anderson on Nov. 30, 1947, at the Norway Lutheran Church of rural Glenham. For the first five years of their marriage, they made their home with her parents, at the farm where Bernice had grown up. Bernice liked working with the farm animals and tried to make sure they were well taken care of. She liked to help with operating the farm machinery, riding the back of the binder was one of her jobs. Living on the farm provided many experiences and one favorite was when she was helping her husband, Calvin, herd a huge sow into a far rowing pen when her husband yelled "Don't let her get past you." Startled, Bernice stepped forward just as the pig lunged toward her and between her legs. Bernice found herself straddling the pig and riding it backwards as it charged off across the field. All she could do was lean forward and hang onto the back of the pig until it finally came to a stop.
Calvin and Bernice retired and moved to Mobridge April 1, 1988. For many years, they lived in their house by the airport. Bernice became the chauffeur for her many friends; she gave ride service to appointments, shopping trips, Ladies Aid, Sunday church services or coffee parties. Because of failing eye sight from macular degeneration, Bernice had to give up the ride service and let Calvin be her chauffeur.
Bernice enjoyed having parties; she really enjoyed bridal and baby showers. She was a member of the Norway Lutheran Church, Norway Church Ladies Aid, Franklin Extension Club, Hospital Auxiliary, American Association of Retired Persons, Historical Society, Bridge City Coin and Stamp Club, Klein Museum and Mobridge Senior Citizens. Her favorite holidays were Valentine's Day and the Fourth of July; she like giving Valentines and going to parades.
Bernice moved to Golden Living Center on May 29, 2008, and lived there until her death Jan. 30, 2013, one day after her 90th birthday.
Bernice is survived by her sisters-in-law: Alpha Prasek of Selby, Charlotte Anderson of Mobridge and Ruth Anderson of Glenham; and brother-in-law, Ted Anderson of Glenham; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Edwin and Elda; her husband, Calvin; and her sister, Norma Barthel.