Bernice Thompson, 101, Albert Lea

Published 9:41 am Thursday, February 14, 2013

Funeral services for Bernice Nelsine Thompson, 101, of Albert Lea will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at First Lutheran Church. The Rev. Allan Stoa will officiate. Interment will be in Lakewood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Bernice Thompson

Bernice died Monday, Feb. 11, 2013, at St. John’s Lutheran Home.

Bernice Nelsine Thompson was born on Aug. 30, 1911, in Bancroft Township, the daughter of Mandeas and Eleonora (Olson) Monson. Bernice grew up in Freeborn County. She attended Luther Academy and graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1929. On June 17, 1937, Bernice was united in marriage to Howard Truman Thompson in the Clarks Grove Parsonage. They farmed together and were members of East Freeborn Lutheran Church prior to joining First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. Bernice was very active at First Lutheran in church circles and on the library board there. She loved to read, sew and do hand work. She was a great seamstress making wonderful clothes for herself and her daughters. Bernice was very interested in what was happening in the world. She enjoyed taking care of her family, gardening and fishing. Blessed be her memory.

Survivors include her children, Eleanor (Don) Sorenson of Albert Lea, Clayton (Kari) Thompson of Boise, Idaho, Virginia “Ginny” Ackland of Albert Lea, Janet (Dick) Nelson of Lino Lakes and Kathleen “Kathy” (Ken) Davis of Fair Play, S.C.; 13 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Wanda Monson Hemann; and several nieces and nephews.

Bernice was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Howard, sons-in-law, Jerry Quam and Chet Ackland, great-grandson Jacob Quam, brothers Nels (Beatrice) Monson, Hendrick Monson; sisters Amanda (Gay) Strenge and Ruth (Carl) Langrud.

Memorials are preferred to the MCHS Hospice or the Peace and Power Ministry of First Lutheran Church.