Watch Bernice's Funeral Mass

Bernice Mary Arens, age 92, formerly of Mahnomen, MN, entered eternal life on December 22, 2020, at Sanford Hospital, Aberdeen, SD.

Bernice was born on April 10, 1928, to Louis B. and Mary (Voss) Lutmer at their home in St. Kilian, MN.   She was the second of six children.  Bernice was baptized on April 15, 1928, at the Catholic Church of St Killian. She attended and graduated from St. Anthony Catholic School in Lismore, MN.  After graduation, she joined the workforce, working at the Lismore Post Office.

On October 5, 1955, Bernice married Joseph "Butch" R. Arens and the couple moved to Mahnomen, MN, where they worked at Edna's Grocery Store and invested in wooded land which later became the family farm where they raised grain, livestock, chickens and grew a huge garden.  As children, the family remembers having primarily homemade/home grown food raised on their farm.  Butch and Bernice were blessed with five children:  Mary, Nancy, Margie, Danny and Gail. They were married 22 years when on January 2, 1978, Butch passed away.  After Bernice was widowed, she demonstrated her resilience over and over again. Her motto being, "when the going gets tough… the tough get going".  At this time, she started quilting using the sewing machine which Butch purchased as a Christmas gift two weeks before he died.  Over the years, she made more quilts than anyone has been able to number. She quilted until her eyesight and hands did not allow her to do so anymore.  Bernice also worked at the Hartz Store in Mahnomen and in years to come the Bruggeman's Super Valu. After 20 years of employment in the grocery store, Bernice tried to retire but couldn't do it. She always said, "everyone needs a reason to get up in the morning".  Bernice became the Senior Meal Site Coordinator in Mahnomen until she was 78 years old.

Over the years, Bernice taught her children life-skills by being active in the local 4-H program.  She said that "4-H gives parents a reason to teach kids what they should be teaching them anyway".  Bernice's highest priority was her deep faith, rooted in Catholicism, which was the guide for her life. The most meaningful work she performed was 19 years of being the Sacristan at St. Michael's Catholic Church where she organized all masses.  Bernice continued to work at the church until 2017, when it became apparent that her health had changed and that she would benefit from living closer to her daughter.  At that time, her resilience again shined when she moved to Lamoure, ND, and later Ellendale, ND, where she lived until the time of her passing.  While in ND, Bernice continued to be productive by working in the facility where she lived.

Bernice was known by her family and friends to have great common sense, be witty, hand out words of wisdom through old sayings, have a fun sense of humor and easily made friends.  Her grandchildren talk of never eating at Grandma's house without having homemade buns on the table and never leaving without being offered a jar of homemade jam.

Bernice was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph; daughter, Gail; son, Daniel; her parents; and four siblings. Left with fond memories are three daughters: Mary (Bruce) Heggen of Park River, ND, Nancy (Brian) Benshoof of Mankato, MN, and Margie (Michael) Janke of Fullerton, ND; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Audrey Reisdorfer of Worthington, MN.

A Public Funeral Mass will be held Monday, December 28, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Mahnomen, MN.  A Rosary will begin at 12:30 p.m. with visitation to follow at 1:00 p.m. at the church.  Inurnment will be at a later date at St. Adrian Catholic Cemetery, Adrian, MN.

Following all Covid-19 safety protocols, social distancing will be practiced, and all must wear a mask to participate.  The funeral service will be recorded and available for viewing shortly after the funeral.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given in Bernice's memory to one of her favorite charities, Father Jack Davis' Mission, or a charity of your choice.