Bernice Adeline Haarstick

Bernice (Langseth) Haarstick, 89, of Erhard, MN, passed away on Sunday, September 29, 2019, at PioneerCare Center in Fergus Falls, MN.
Bernice Adeline Langseth was born on February 15, 1930, in Aurdal Township, the daughter of the late Olaf and Clara J. (Thompson) Langseth. Bernice was baptized and confirmed at Stavanger Lutheran Church, rural Fergus Falls. She was educated at Rural School District 207 in Friberg Township (commonly referred to as the Seeba School) through the 8th grade and in 1948, graduated from Fergus Falls High School. After completing Teacher Training in 1949, Bernice taught Rural School in Aurdal Township at District 247 from 1949-1951 and at District 80 from 1951-1953. Bernice recalled her starting annual salary was $1,800 and appreciated the independence the job gave her. Bernice had a life-long thirst for knowledge.
As fate would have it, Bernice met a young Erhard man, named Vernon Haarstick, at a Rural Youth Dance. They were married on June 6, 1953, at Bagstevold (Grace) Lutheran Church, Erhard. They made their home on Vernon's maternal grandparents' farm in Erhard’s Grove Township.
Bernice considered life in the country her paradise on earth. She described nature as her “free adventure.” Whether it was bird-watching, walking in the woods, experiencing the change of seasons, flower and vegetable gardening, or harvesting the fruits of her labor, including apples from her trees, she was happiest connecting to nature. Bernice also enjoyed learning about her family’s genealogy, journaling, scrapbooking, sewing and quilting, attending church and women’s bible study, music, reading, the grand-dogs, cooking and baking. A fun family activity was spending weekends at their Long Lake cottage. She reveled in being a grandma to Christopher and Ashley.
Her family always appreciated her accomplishments in the kitchen, especially her homemade buns, caramel rolls, and thin lefse. Her quick wit was unsuspected and caught many off-guard. Whatever Bernice chose to do, she did it well.
Bernice is survived by sons, Steve (Valerie) Haarstick of Troy, MT, and Keith (Patricia) Haarstick of Fergus Falls; daughters, Joanne Haarstick (John McDougal) of Richmond, VA and Janice (Justin) Fier of Welch, MN; grandchildren, Christopher (Jenna) Haarstick of Buffalo, MN and Ashley (Abe) Hotchkiss of Apple Valley, MN; and three great-grandchildren, Brooks and Maxx Haarstick and Finn Hotchkiss. She is also survived by Valerie’s (Steve) daughter, Catrina (Andrew) Wroblewski and their children, Andrew, Brian, and Allissa of Lemont, Illinois; and by brother, Ervin Langseth of Fergus Falls, and sisters-in-law, Cleo Langseth of Dilworth, MN and Lorene Langseth of St. Paul, MN.
In addition to her parents, Bernice was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon Arland Haarstick on May 14, 2013, son, John Allen Haarstick in 1961, as well as four brothers, Orris, Julian, Melvin, and LeRoy Langseth, sister Gladys, and sisters-in-law Lucille Langseth and Doris Langseth.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the caring staff at Pioneer Care and LB Hospice, and to special friends Becky Engleson and Audrey Stach.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in Bernice’s memory to the charity of your choice or plant a tree, shrub, or flower in Bernice’s memory.

Family and friends are welcome to attend a memorial service, followed by lunch and coffee, at Olson’s Funeral Home on Saturday, October 12, 2019 at 1:00 p.m.

Visitation: One hour prior to the service at Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls

Memorial Service: 1 p.m. Saturday, October 12, 2019 at Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls.

Clergy: Chaplain David Strom
Arrangements: Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls
Online condolences and memories may be shared with the family online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com