Bernice Pearl Sevley Holstad, age 87, of Bricelyn, died Sunday, Oct. 16, 2005, at her daughter&8217;s home in Lake Mills, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, at Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Kiester, with the Rev. Chris Fiske officiating. Burial will take place at Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, Oct. 19, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Mittelstadt Funeral Home, 902 E. Main St., Lake Mills, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.

Pallbearers will be Mark Peterson, Michael Peterson, Matthew Peterson, Mary Jo Huntley, Van Neel, Eric Neel, Dawn Jenson, and Denise O&8217;Neil.

Honorary bearers will be Donnie Amundson, Ronnie Amundson, Gordon Sevley, Scott Sevley, Jeremy Sevley, and Bruce Hovland.

Bernice Pearl Sevley Holstad, daughter of Peter and Evelyn (Sorbo) Sevley, was born on Jan. 17, 1918, at her parents’ farm in rural Kiester. She was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Kiester. Bernice was confirmed on July 26, 1931, by the Rev. J.A. Arneson at Immanuel Lutheran Church, where she also taught Sunday school in later years. Bernice attended school at Kiester.

Bernice worked at Cool Springs Canning Co. when she was 16 years old. During that time, she stayed with her Grandpa Henry Sevley whom she loved very much. She also worked at the Bricelyn Canning Co. during sweet corn harvest.

On July 22, 1939, Bernice was united in marriage with Harry B. Holstad by the Rev. Arneson at the Immanuel Lutheran Church parsonage. Following their marriage, the couple moved to their farm in Eden Township, Winnebago County, Iowa, where they remained for 66 years. In 1959, Bernice went to work at Deluxe Products (Fleetguard Industries) for 19 years. She then retired, but kept busy on the farm with Harry. She loved being on her John Deere 60.

Bernice was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was a care giver with a big, generous heart, even when her own heart didn’t work well. She loved her home, her mowing, and taking care of her yard and flowers. She was Trinity Lutheran Church’s Good Cheer Lady for 28 years where she also kept active with WELCA, circle, Sunday School teacher, and Altar Guild. Bernice was also a member of the Kiester Senior Citizens.

Bernice is survived by her four daughters: LeAnn Peterson and her husband, Roger of Lake Mills, Iowa, Barbara Ziegler of Wells, Mary Lou Neel and her husband Harvey A. of Scarville, Iowa, and Beverly Jenson and her husband Gene of Hayward; grandchildren: Mark Peterson and his wife Sherene of Brooklyn Park, Minn., Michael Peterson and his wife Mary Jean of Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., Mary Jo Huntley and her husband Brian of Victoria, Minn., Matthew Peterson and his wife Kimberly of Johnston, Iowa, Van Neel and his wife Kristin of Scottsdale, Ariz., Eric Neel and his wife Kris of Alden, Dawn Jenson and special friend Ryan Nolander of Albert Lea, and Denise O’Neil and her husband Mike of Burnsville; nine great-grandchildren: Thomas (T.J.), Katelyn and Megan Peterson of Brooklyn Park,

Nathan and Nicole Peterson of Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., Sidney Peterson of Johnston, Iowa, Brady and Brett Neel of Alden, and Samuel (Sam) O’Neil of Burnsville; a new great-grandchild, Baby Huntley, to be born in December; and a sister-in-law, Kathy Sevley of Kiester.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harry, in 1996; three brothers: Harry Sevley and his wife Elaine, and Alvin Sevley and Earl Sevley; a son-in-law, Elmer Ziegler; and two nephews: Larry and Dennis Sevley.