Funeral services for Berneice Ethel Otterson, age 76, of Clarks Grove will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Community Lutheran Church of Geneva. The Rev. Carrie McElfresh will officiate. Interment will be at East Freeborn Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Berneice died Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008 at her home.
Berneice Ethel Otterson was born on March 30, 1932 to Roy and Grace (Crossan) Cox in Unionville, Pa. She went to school in Pennsylvania. On June 25, 1950 she was united in marriage to Raymond N. Otterson in Unionville, Pa. The couple lived in many locations while Raymond was in the Army including Aberdeen, Md, Indianhead, Md, Washington, DC, Germany, Norway, Alaska and Kansas. After his retirement from the service the couple made their home in Clarks Grove. Berneice was a member of Community Lutheran Church in Geneva, and a life member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She was active in the Girl Scouts as a leader in Alaska and here and also was a Cub Scout leader. Berneice was a former member of the Sons of Norway. She enjoyed making afghans.
Survivors include her husband, Raymond of Clarks Grove; children, Raymond, Jr. (Diane) Otterson of Killeen, Texas, Einer (Lynn) Otterson of Superior, Colo., Cindy (Darrel) Hankerson of Auburn, Ala., and Valarie Otterson of Clarks Grove; grandchildren, Kimberly Chapman of Salado, Texas, Karie (Jeremy) Zierden, of Killeen, Texas, Jillian Otterson of Hopkins, Ryan Otterson of Superior, Colo., Zachary Dolan of Killeen, Texas, Nick Dolan of Faribault, Ben Johnson of Ft. Riley, Kan., Christopher Otterson, and Marshall Otterson, both of Killeen, Texas; great-grandchildren, Devon Otterson of Killeen, Texas, Karissa Dolan and Ryan Dolan both of Detroit Lakes; brothers and sisters-in-law, Lloyd S. (Charleen) Otterson, Clifford (Margaret) Otterson, Rolf E. (Marlene) Otterson, Dovain V. Otterson, Odean S. (Marjorie) Otterson, Theresa C. (Marlys) Sorenson, and Ardene Otterson; many nieces and nephews.
Berneice was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Gifford Cox, David (Kate) Cox and Wallace (Betty) Cox; sister, Esther (Clayborn) Hudler; sister-in-law, Lana Otterson; and brother-in-law, Eugene Otterson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.