Bernice M. Miller, 91, died January 19, at the Cokato Manor. Services will be held on Saturday, January 23, 10 am at the Evangelical Lutheran Church Cokato with the Rev. Tim Wheatley officiating. A time of gathering will be held 1 hour prior to services at the church. Interment at Bethlehem Lutheran Church Cemetery, Middleville Township.
Bernice Mae Peterson, daughter of Anton and Alvera (Est) Peterson, was born May 16, 1924, in Bethel. She attended Hutchinson school through the 8th grade. At the urging of her dad, she worked outside the home doing different things but also served as her mother’s helper in the family home, most specifically with her youngest sisters. She married Wilbert Richard Miller on May 23, 1947. To this union three children, Diann, Gary, and Richard were born. She was proud of her role as homemaker and farmer’s wife. She always said her children were her life.
Bernice was baptized in 1945 at Vineyard United Methodist Church, Hutchinson. She confirmed her faith before marriage at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Middleville Township. She was a member of Evangelical Lutheran Church Cokato and served with the quilters. She enjoyed the social activity and most notably baking treats for their break time and honoring members’ birthdays.
She enjoyed sewing garments and home décor in her younger years. When she was living on the farm, she and Wilbert enjoyed dancing, bowling, and card parties. Bernice had the gift of hospitality. Everyone was welcome at her table and never left hungry! Her favorite activities included baking treats and embroidering quilt tops and dishtowel sets. She especially loved visits from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Bernice is survived by her daughter, Diann Mauk, and sons Gary (Jan) and Richard, all of Cokato; 4 grandchildren, Jeremy Miller of Waverly, Brenda Ferris of Buffalo, Chad (Kari) Miller of Delano, Paul (Monique) Mauk of New Brighton; 7 great-granchildren; sisters, Vernadean Navratil of Silver Lake, Janet (Don)Bergerson of Plymouth, and Judy Haekenkamp of Winsted. She is further survived by step-granchildren, step-great-granchildren, many nieces and nephews, relatives, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Wilbert in 1968; brother, Marvin Peterson; sisters and their spouses, Betty (Harold) Welch, Fern (Floyd) Servin; Mavis (Don) Welch, brother-in-laws Jim Navratil, and Hubert Haekenkamp; and infant sister, Yvonne.
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