Memorial services for Bernice E. (Jensrud) Himmerich of New Richland will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Richland. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church. Interment will be at St. Olaf Cemetery followed by refreshments with family and friends. The Rev. Paul Andree will officiate. 

Bernice died on Saturday, March 4, 2017, at New Richland Care Center.

She was born on Dec. 25, 1929, in Esmond, North Dakota, to Olai and Cora J. (Holje) Jensrud.

After high school graduation, Bernice worked at a creamery in Esmond.  She did bookkeeping and worked at Land O’ Lakes in Valley City, North Dakota.  While at Land O’ Lakes, she met the love of her life.

Bernice married Ervin Himmerich on July 3, 1949, in Esmond. They made their home in Valley City over the next several years where their three children were born. They moved to Thief River Falls in 1954, where they lived until 1968. From there they moved to New Richland, where they remained for the rest of their years.

In New Richland, Bernice worked as a teller at the bank, did bookkeeping for some businesses and worked in the office at Budach Implement. After their retirement, Bernice and Ervin did janitorial work for the bank for 11 years. Bernice was involved with the AFS Intercultural Exchange program and enjoyed the opportunity to host their foreign exchange student, Chaluay, from Thailand.

Bernice was active at Trinity Lutheran Church, where she served on the church council, the altar guild, taught Bible school, Sunday school and enjoyed quilting. She served on New Richland Care Center Board for 19 years. She also was very active with the American Cancer Society and sold daffodils every year at the bank for many years.

Bernice and Ervin enjoyed adventures together traveling all over the United States. They went to Norway twice to visit and enjoy Bernice’s father’s relatives. They were able to travel to Thailand, spending time with Chaluay and his family. Bernice and Ervin enjoyed several cruises throughout their years together.

Bernice lovingly made quilts for each of her children and grandchildren — instilling a special remembrance for each of them.

Survivors include daughter,  Lynn Gates, of Arena, Wisconsin; sons Gary (Gail) Himmerich of Byron and Bruce (Janet) Himmerich of Albert Lea; eight granddaughters, Kelly, Heather, Breanna, Megan, Sara, Melanie, Danielle and Ashley; 13 great-grandchildren, Karlie, Blake, Caleb, Noah, Faith, Brian, Eliza, Ian, Calvin, Felicity, Isaac, Ingrid and Paige; brother, Melvin Jensrud, of Minot, North Dakota; brothers-in-law, Herman Westrich of St. Louis, Herbert (Jean) Himmerich of San Luis Obispo, California, Melvin Himmerich of Tacoma, Washington, and Wayne Spriggle of Longview, Washington.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ervin, in July; son-in-law, Albert Gates; her parents; sisters Charlotte and her husband, Frank Motschenbacher, and Thelma Westrich; brother, Hilmer Jensrud and his wife, Betty; and sister-in-law, Tootie Jensrud.