Bernice Ness, 96, Fertile, Minnesota, died in the presence of several family members on Thursday, February 23, 2017, at the Fair Meadow Nursing Home in Fertile.

Bernice Margaret Iverson was born on January 21, 1921, to Bennie and Clara (Skanson) Iverson in Godfrey Township, rural Maple Bay.  The oldest of four siblings, she had the responsibility of helping her mother with the typical farm wife activities of the day.  Lots of hard work, but also time for making good childhood memories:  family Christmas programs, summer picnics, and occasional trips to Grand Forks, ND.  She attended country school in District 90, north of Maple Bay, then one year of "Normal School" for teaching in East Grand Forks, six weeks at Moorhead State, then two years of "country" classes at Fertile High School.

Bernice was united in marriage to neighbor boy, Victor Ness, on December 17, 1943, when Victor was home on furlough from the Army for five days.  Bernice thought she would be able to move to North Carolina, where he was stationed, but  he was shipped to North Africa and then to Italy, so she stayed at home with her parents and taught in various country schools around the area.  She wrote to Victor every day for the four years while he was overseas, except for the first Good Friday he was gone, because she assumed the Post Office would be closed; she found out later that it had been open.

In Bernice's opinion, the most precious gift Victor ever gave her was a ring he pounded and shaped out of a half dollar while he was in "static position" in Italy.  He spent many hours making this ring, and it now hangs on a chain next to his dog tags.  While Victor was in the Army, he was paid $79 a month, and he sent Bernice $50 of that so she could save up to buy a car when he returned home.

After the Army, Victor and Bernice moved to Fertile and paid $15 a month rent to live in a house with no plumbing.  In 1954, they moved out to the farm where they remained for most of their lives. Victor farmed and drove school bus and Bernice tended their home and family with diligence and love.

Victor and Bernice were baptized and confirmed in Maple Bay Free Lutheran Church in Maple Bay, and were life-long members there. Bernice was very active in Sunday School and Ladies Aid.

Bernice loved to sew, and made numerous quilts and an infinite amount of clothing for family and neighbors.  She was a gardener and a skilled cook (scalloped potatoes) and baker (lefse). No one could enter their house without being offered coffee and "a little lunch".

In 1996, Victor and Bernice were able to travel to Norway with Norma and Wayne, and at other times enjoyed trips with friends to Canada and to many states in the U.S., often in their little motor home where Bernice could still make home cooked meals.

From 1995-1997, Bernice compiled a book of her and Victor's heritage, titled "Pluses and Minuses".  She said she wrote it for her precious grandchildren, both biological and those whom they adopted through love. To quote her: "My constant prayer is that each of you walk in fellowship with God and claim Jesus as your own Savior."  She cited four virtues that need to be present in our lives:  Hospitality, Generosity, Integrity, and Purity.

Victor and Bernice entered Fair Meadow in the fall of 2014. Victor passed away in 2015, just a month and a half shy of their 73rd wedding anniversary.  Their life together was one of enduring faith and love which sustained them through all the "pluses and minuses".  Bernice will be remembered for her practical, no-nonsense approach to life, her wisdom and deep faith, and her open and generous heart.

Bernice is preceded in death by her parents; infant daughter Joan in 1946; two brothers, Rueben and Leroy (aka Pete); sister and brother-in-law, Phylaine and John Know of Oakland, CA; daughter Norma (Wayne) Pederson, Colorado Springs, CO, in 2014; and most recently, Victor.  She is survived by two children; Byron (Marilyn) Ness, Fertile; and Gail (Jim) Weinkauf, Clear Lake, MN; eight grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; and her two sisters-in-law; Vivian (Mrs. Rueben) Iverson, Fair Meadow Nursing Home, Fertile; and Peggy (Mrs. Pete) Iverson, Redwood Falls, MN.

Funeral: 11 AM Saturday, March 4, 2017, Maple Bay Free Lutheran Free Church, Maple Bay, MN.

Visitation: 5-7 PM with a prayer service at 6:30 PM Friday, March 3, 2017, at the Erikson-Vik-Ganje Funeral Home, Fertile, MN .

Burial : Maple Bay Free Lutheran Cemetery, Maple Bay, MN.

Flowers can be ordered from Prairie Rose Floral, Fertile, MN--218 945 3801.