Bernice Reese

Bernice I. Reese, 95, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Monday, March 10, 2008, at the Pioneer Retirement Community in Fergus Falls. She was born August 28, 1912, to Garfield and Alma Peterson at their farm near Maddock, ND. She was baptized at Emmanuel Lutheran Church. Bernice graduated from Benson County Agricultural Training School (high school) in 1931, and then attended Minot State Teacher's College before teaching in Albert and Elden Townships and at Flora Consolidated. After returning to Minot to finish her education, she began teaching in Harvey Junior High School in 1939, where she met Trevor V. Reese. They married in 1941. After her husband was drafted into the Army Air Corps in 1942 and sent overseas, Bernice and her sister, Gladys, spent four years working for Boeing Aircraft in Renton, Washington where Boeing built B29s. After the war Bernice and Trevor moved to Rugby, ND and Trevor went to work for Otter Tail Power Company. Their daughter, Jennifer, was born in Rugby. They moved to Fergus Falls in 1949 where Trevor became a district manager and where their son, Bill, was born. They moved again in 1954 to Langdon, ND, and in 1959 to Morris, MN. Their last move was back to Fergus Falls in 1963. After retirement they bought a home in Green Valley, AZ where they spent the next 23 winters. Bernice loved her church and enjoyed singing in the choir, her circle, and visiting with her church friends. Very family oriented, Bernice was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, and sister. Preceding her in death were her husband, Trevor, in 1999; her parents, and her sisters, Gladys Berg and Dorothy Carlson. Survivors include her daughter, Jennifer (Richard) Carlson of Coon Rapids, MN, her son, Bill Reese of Tucson, AZ; her grandchildren, Heather and Trevor Carlson, her sisters Ruby Lundahl of Maddock, ND and Arlene Haukness of Detroit Lakes, MN, and ten nieces and nephews. Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church. Service: 10 a.m. Friday at First Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls Clergy:     Reverend Saul Stensvaag Interment: First Lutheran North Cemetery, Fergus Falls, MN Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com