Berna Mae Anderson, 80 of Frederic, WI passed away on Sunday, July 29th, 2018 in Cumberland, WI with her son and daughter-in-law by her side. She had battled a long fight against cancer.
Berna was born May 12, 1938 in Truesdale, IA to Herbert and Neola Rice. She graduated high school in Fairview, IA in 1956. While attending North Central bible school in Minneapolis, MN she met David M. Anderson on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1958 at the wedding of Paul and Marie Hakala. David and Paul were cousins and Berna sang the solo during the wedding.
Berna and David were married in Minneapolis, MN on July 12, 1959 and lived on the family farm in Northern Minnesota where they had four children, Debra Mae, Dava Marie, David Phillip and Daron Kent. The family all packed into a Volkswagen Bug and moved to Iowa in 1965. Berna worked in the restaurant business, served as the assistant postmaster of the Truesdale, Iowa post office, and baked wedding cakes on the side while raising four children.
Berna and David moved to Minneapolis, MN in 1977 where she became the property manager of a sixty unit apartment complex while her husband, David drove city bus. Berna was a workaholic, taking care of mostly elderly residents of the apartment complex and was respected for her caring and friendly attention to their needs. She also provided one-on-one care for one of the residents who had been confined to a wheelchair for his entire adult life and eventually became lifelong friends.
In 1985 they purchased land outside of Frederic, WI, built a home, and retired from the twin cities in the early 1990’s. They enjoyed life together for only a short while until she lost her husband in 2002. Berna continued to work at the deli of Wayne’s grocery store for nine years before her health deteriorated and was forced into retirement again.
Berna was preceded in death by her son, David Phillip; her daughters, Debra Mae and Dava Marie; her husband, David; her granddaughter, Keshia Rose Anderson; brother-in-law, Lloyd Anderson; and sister-in-law, Beulah Hongerholdt.
Berna is survived by her sisters, Bonnie Kanady of Elmer, NJ and Julie Haralson of Ft. Collins, CO; as well as her son, Daron Anderson and wife, Joleen; granddaughters, Anna Fae and Elle Jane; grandson, Ian Francis; sister-in-law, Marilyn Miller of CA; and daughter-in-law, Sharon Nieman.
A Memorial Service will be held at Zion Lutheran Church of Bone Lake, 997 280th Ave., Frederic, WI on Saturday, August 11th – visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by the service at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Mike Fisk will be officiating.
You are invited to leave condolences, memories and photos at
www.rowefh.com . Arrangements are entrusted to Rowe Funeral Home in Luck, 715-472-2444 and the Northwest Wisconsin Cremation Center in Milltown,
www.wicremationcenter.com .
