"Sue and I extend our sympathy to Sue and Jim and their families. Our thoughts and prayers to all the family members."
In loving memory of
Bernice M. Walker
March 31, 1926 - May 20, 2022
Bernice Mary Ann (Lensing) Walker passed away May 20, 2022, at the Algona Manor Care Center at the age of 96 following a brief illness. A funeral Mass will be held Wednesday at 10:00 AM at Divine Mercy Parish -- St. Michael's Catholic Church in Whittemore with Father Matthew Solyntjes officiating. Burial will be at St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery in Whittemore. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 pm Tuesday at Divine Mercy Parish -- St. Michael's Catholic Parish Hall in Whittemore. The services will be live streamed on Oakcrest Funeral Services' Facebook Page. https://www.facebook.com/oakcrestfuneralservices/ In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, 411 2nd St. NW, Rochester, MN 55901.
Bernice was born March 31, 1926, in Bancroft, Iowa to Henry and Emma (Vaske) Lensing. Bernice was the oldest of 11 children and spent her time helping on the farm, milking cows, and taking care of her younger siblings. She attended St. John's Catholic School in Bancroft.
Bernice was united in marriage to Vern Thomas Walker on April 6, 1948, at St. John's Catholic Church, Bancroft, Iowa. She was a member of St. Michael's Church, Whittemore, and a member of Rosary Society and CDA. Recently, she received her 70th year CDA pin.
Bernice and Vern lived on and farmed the Walker family century farm west of Algona. Bernice enjoyed farm life, raised chickens, and sold eggs to the neighbors. She was well known for her huge garden and sharing its bounty with family and friends. The highlight of her year was the Kossuth County Fair where she exhibited garden produce and many handmade projects and won grand champion several times for her jams and hand embroidered dish towels. She enjoyed her years working for Funk's Research and Pioneer. Bernice was also known in the community as the "pizza lady" at Hy-Vee.
Bernice is survived by her five children: Janis Bierstedt (George) of Algona; Jim (Madeleine) Walker of Nevada; Sue (Dave) Runyan of Cresco; Dr. Sheri (Denny) Pentecost of Coppell, TX; and John Walker of Algona; nine grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren: Mark (Carol) Eischeid of Algona; Steve Eischeid and children Seth and Jordan of Algona; Matt (Jill) Walker and children Michael, Julia, and James of Independence, MN; Eric (April) Walker and children Brecken, Madiana, and Gretchen of Eden Prairie, MN; Alyse (Nathan Langreck) Simiele and children Landon, Tristan, and Caiden Simiele and Adeline Langreck of Cresco; Dan Runyan of Cresco; Dr. Craig Runyan of Waukesha, WI; Sarah (Ed) Smith and children Cambry, Tristen, and Elizabeth of Coppell, TX; and Alexis Pentecost of Dallas, TX. She is also survived by two sisters Carrie (Warren) Phillips and Kathy (Bill) Jackson; one brother John (Arlene) Lensing and two sisters-in-law Cathy Lensing and Susan Lensing and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.
Bernice is preceded in death by her husband, Vern; parents, Henry and Emma Lensing; two sisters, Inez Lensing and JoAnn Hatten; five brothers, Bob Lensing, Jim Lensing, Chuck Lensing, Vince Lensing, and Bill Lensing.
Tributes
"Bernice\'s family- Thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of sorrow. Bernice was so kind and thoughtful, she was a special tenant of ours for nearly 7 years. Our sincere sympathy, John & Carol Hjelmeland"
"Condolences from our Lensing relatives, Lucia and Hajo Glahe in Germany. Köln, May 23, 2022 Your dear ones. For you do not know the day or the hour when the Lord will come (Matthew 25). Bernice was allowed to dwell on earth - among you - for a very long time, now she has gone to be with the Lord. It hurts when this person is suddenly gone after such a long time together: the \"big sister\", the mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. We followed Bernice\'s life with great interest and saw that she grew up in our America-Lensing family, so to speak, in the place of origin, at least in the place with which so much connects us. My mother corresponded with Mary Christina Fangman-Lensing in Bancroft and certainly my grandfather\'s generation before that. My mother and Mary were both quite devout and so the correspondence was also much about the St. John\'s Catholic church. I was all the more grateful when I was able to get to know this place, this church and the Lensing families during our visits, especially the 2016 meeting is gratefully remembered by Hajo and me. So we feel with all of you, especially because we were able to meet many in your families. But we are also grateful to have met Bernice at that time in all her warmth and alert mind. We pray for Bernice and also for all of you. Continue to stand together, especially at this time when wars are still going on and there is much suffering in the world. Our thoughts are with you. Lucia and Hajo We have had a hard time because of Hajos intestinal deseases. But he is doing better in the meantime. At the moment he is in the rehab, not very far from here, so that I can always visit him on weekends. His four operations have weakened him very much and cost us a lot of energy. Surely we can\'t make any big leaps this summer, but things are looking up again. Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)? Köln, den 23. Mai 2022 Ihr Lieben. Denn ihr wisset weder den Tag noch die Stunde, wann der Herr kommt (Matthaeus 25). Bernice durfte sehr lange auf der Erde - unter euch - weilen, nun ist sie zum Herrn gegangen. Es schmerzt, wenn dieser Mensch nach so langer gemeinsamer Zeit plötzlich nicht mehr da ist: die ?große Schwester?, die Mutter, Großmutter und Urgroßmutter. Mit großem Interesse haben wir die Lebensdaten von Bernice verfolgt und gesehen, das sie in unserer Amerika-Lensing-Familie sozusagen am Ursprungsort groß geworden ist, jedenfalls an dem Ort, mit dem uns so vieles verbindet. Schon meine Mutter hat mit Mary Christina Fangman-Lensing in Bancroft korrespondiert und zuvor gewiss auch die Generation meines Opas. Meine Mutter und Mary waren beide recht fromm und daher handelte die Korrespondenz auch viel über die Kirche. Umso dankbarer war ich, als ich diesen Ort, diese St. John\'s Kirche und die Lensing Familien bei unseren Besuchen kennenlernen durfte, gerade auch das Treffen 2016 ist Hajo und mir in dankbarer Erinnerung. So fühlen wir mit euch allen, insbesondere, weil wir in euren Familien viele kennenlernen durften. Wir sind aber auch dankbar, damals Bernice in ihrer ganzen Herzlichkeit und ihrem wachen Verstand getroffen zu haben. Wir beten für Bernice und auch für euch alle. Haltet weiterhin zusammen, gerade in dieser Zeit, wo immer noch und immer wieder Kriege herrschen und viel Leid in der Welt passiert. Wir sind in Gedanken bei euch. Lucia und Hajo Wir hatten eine schwere Zeit wegen Hajos Darmerkrankungen. Aber es geht ihm inzwischen besser. Im Moment ist er in der Reha, nicht weit von hier, so dass ich ihn an den Wochenenden immer besuchen kann. Seine vier Operationen haben ihn sehr geschwächt und uns viel Kraft gekostet. Sicherlich können wir in diesem Sommer keine großen Sprünge machen, aber es geht wieder aufwärts. "
"My deepest sympathies to the Walker family. May she Rest in Peace now as she was a very hard worker, but always with a smile! Prayers for each of you to find Peace in this time of grief. "
"Our deepest sympathy to you Janis and the rest of your siblings. Always remember her at HyVee handing out pizza samples and always with a smile. Keeping you all I\'m my prayers. "
"Sending my condolences. I have many fond memories of spending time at the Walker homestead and attending the Kossuth county fair. Aunt Bernice was so talented "
"Bernice was the nicest lady and the best pizza maker! Rest In Peace Bernice!"
"Bernice easily won the prize for the member of the family who appreciated my family history efforts the most. Blessings to you, most recent matriarch of our family, and condolences to all of your family."
"Janis, we are so sorry to hear of your mom?s passing! Always looked forward to her pizza at Hy-Vee and her caring smile! Sending our prayers to your family!"
"John, Arlene and Lensing/Walker family I am sorry for the loss of your loved. Sending prayers for all of you."
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Walker family. I have so many memories of visiting Iowa and seeing Aunt Bernice. May G-d console your family during this time. "
"prayers for the Walker families. So sorry for your loss."
"Rest in Peace dear cousin! The world was a better place with you in it. "
"Janis I?m so sorry to hear your mom has pass away. She was a gem and will be remembered by a lot of people. Ruth"