"To: The Pevestorf Family. Please accept my sincere condolences. May you find comfort in God's word the Bible. Jesus said: At John 6:40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who recognizes the Son and exercises faith in him should have everlasting life, and I will resurrect him (her) on the last day. May the hope and promises in this Scripture bring you comfort and strength to endure the difficult days ahead. For more information please visit jw.org (Search Comfort)"
In loving memory of
Bernice Pevestorf
September 24, 1931 - October 7, 2017
Bernice Emma Pevestorf was born September 24, 1931 in Coon Rapids, Iowa, to Elmer Pevestorf and Marie Deeth Pevestorf. She went back to the Lord on October 7, 2017 at 86 years of age.
Bernice grew up on her family’s farm northeast of town. She was baptized and confirmed in Trinity Lutheran Church. She attended country school through the 8th grade, where her sister, Mildred, was her teacher for three years. Bernice graduated from Coon Rapids High School. After graduation, she worked with her parents on their farm and also worked at various jobs in Coon Rapids, one of which was waitressing.
In 1963, Bernice moved to Denver where she stayed two years with her sister and her sister’s family. She worked at Mountain Bell Telephone Company while in Denver, and moved to an apartment with her friend, Betty Bernhardt, whom she met at the telephone company. Bernice enjoyed traveling and made a trip to Hawaii. In 1970 she met and married Leon Burke. She and Leon lived in Denver for a while, and later moved to Texas where they lived until the marriage ended in 1979. Bernice moved back to Coon Rapids and lived in Coon until her death.
Bernice joined Ascension Lutheran Church when she returned to Coon. She worked at various jobs in town, cleaning the church, tasks at the nursing home and doing in-home care. She also volunteered in many activities, including playing the organ for church services, and assisting at congregate meals. Bernice loved her quilting club, playing Skip-Bo and all sorts of card games, cooking, music and dancing. She loved to fish in earlier days with her family.
In failing health in the last year, Bernice moved from her apartment in town to Thomas Rest Haven. She and her family were grateful to all those who helped her, with special thanks to cousins Mike and Patty Deeth for all their care. Bernice is survived by her older sister, Mildred DeRose, nephews Joseph (Jill) DeRose, Dominic (Marguerite) DeRose, and Edward DeRose, nieces Linda, Teresa, Martha and Diane DeRose, grand nephews Jeff and Joey, and numerous cousins.
Bernice understood a sense of duty to her community and family. She was a person of unending faith in the Lord. She wanted to be active in social events, help out wherever she could, and remained a genuinely caring person throughout her life. She held a deep love for her parents, sister and family members. She remembered birthdays with special calls, graduations, weddings, and kept up on all the family news. Holidays could always expect a remembrance from Aunt Bernice for her nieces and nephews. She was determined to find happiness and purpose in her life, and surely has been welcomed joyfully into God’s kingdom.
Reverend Terry Mogensen, Officiant
Music
“Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken”
“Lord, Take My Hands and Lead Me”
Carolyn Flook, Organist
Casket Bearers
Doug Pevestorf Brian Heisterkamp
Jeff Hachmeister Johnny Hachmeister
Interment
Willow Township Cemetery
Tributes
"We cousins always looked forward to summer and visiting Great-Uncle & Great-Aunt Marie's farm. Bernice & Mildred would take the time to visit with us. There's surely a grand celebration in Heaven just like those family res long ago!"
"Peace & eternal rest we pray for you, Cousin Bernice. May you be surrounded with family & angels in an endless summer re. Love and peace to Mildred & all her family, may you be comforted with joyful remembrances and stories to share, hugs and laughs along with your tears."
"Aunt Bernice I will always remember our special times together. Playing ball fishing milking cows and playing board games. You were a loving Aunt and you will be missed."
"I am Bernice Pevestorf's niece. Bernice was a loving person and aunt. She touched my heart in so many ways. She will be greatly missed. Rest in Peace Aunt Bernice."
"My Aunt Bernice had a kind, generous, and loving spirit. She never missed a call or card on our birthdays. And she always wanted to send something for Christmas. I will miss our weekly phone conversations. She loved to bake, crochet, quilt, and travel. She loved coming to Colorado to visit her family. Rest in peace, dear Bernice, I know you are experiencing more joy and happiness than you couldve ever dreamed. I miss you and I see you again someday!"
"Bernice was my beloved aunt. She was always interested in all of our lives and what we were up to. She was faithful to wish us each a happy birthday individually with a loving phone call. Her help when we were a young and growing family was priceless. I will miss my Aunt Bernice very much and with fondest memories."
"I will miss my sister so much. We enjoyed talking on the phone every week. She loved my family and communicated with them on their birthdays and enjoyed visiting us. Fond memories. I truly appreciate the help she received the last few years."
"I spoke with Aunt Bernice almost every week over the past few years. I will truly miss our conversations. We talked about our wonderful summer visits to Grandpa and Grandma's farm and then to their home in town. She enjoyed hearing all that we were doing in Denver. She loved traveling and tried to come to Denver every chance she could. She had a big heart, always wanting to send a little something for Christmas, calling us all on our birthdays, making us quilts and things she had crocheted. She loved singing, dancing, traveling, quilting and playing Skipbo. She had a very strong faith and loved being part of her church. Bernice, you are finally at peace now with your loving God. We ended our phone conversations with "I love you" so Bernice, I love you."
"Bernice was a loving and caring aunt who never forgot to call us on our birthdays or send us a card on Christmas. She loved all of us as if we were her own. We love you very much! RIP sweet Angel."
"Aunt Bernice, God sends each of us into the world with special gifts, to make the most out of what he wisely gives us in our own way, which is quite enough. In your own unique way, I saw you relish being part of a family, to hold on to loved ones and not let them go. Wherever life found you, you kept a loving spirit. That was your gift to us and will never be taken for granted. I will miss you in my life."