Bernice Blanshan

Bernice Katherine Stiegelmeyer was born December 20, 1921 in Detroit Lakes, MN, the daughter of Jay and Katherine (Andrews) Stiegelmeyer. She attended school at Bingham Lake, MN. At the age of ten Bernice was baptized at the Methodist Church in Bingham Lake. Bernice and her family moved to northern Minnesota where she continued her schooling and graduated from Grand Rapids High School in 1940. Bernice was fortunate enough to attend her 50th and 60th class reunions. During World War II Bernice ran stamping presses at Sioux Steel in Sioux Falls, SD. On October 30, 1946 Bernice was united in marriage to her grade school classmate, Lester Blanshan at the Methodist parsonage in Windom, MN. The couple was blessed with one child, Rick. In 1948 they moved to Lebanon, OR and they both worked in the Cascade Plywood Mill. After a short time they returned to Minnesota and farmed at Bejou, MN. Most of Bernice?s married life was spent in Windom, MN. In 1955 she was confirmed in the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Windom. She was an active church member, taught Sunday school and was active in her church guild. In 1997 Bernice and Lester moved to Alexandria, MN to be closer to their son. Bernice enjoyed doing craftwork, knitted, crocheted and sewed. She loved music and enjoyed playing the organ. On Saturday, July 10, 2010 Bernice died at the age of eighty-eight years. Her parents, two sisters, Evelyn Winterton, Hazel Buhr, three brothers, Dale, Ray and Ervin Steigelmeyer, preceded her in death. Her husband, Lester, survives Bernice; they celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary in 2009. Also surviving her is one sister Ruby Holt, son Rick Blanshan and wife, Trudy, of Osakis, MN; granddaughter, Katy Blanshan of St. Cloud; grandson, Jesse Blanshan and wife, Angie, of Windom; one great-granddaughter, Astaria Blanshan along with several nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held 11 AM, Wednesday, July 14, 2010 at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Alexandria. Rev. Fr. Noel Rich will officiate. Nancy Anderson will provide music. Interment will be at 2 PM, Sunday, July 18, 2010 in the Lakeview Cemetery in Windom. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 AM Wednesday at the church. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.