Bernice Johnson

Bernice Johnson, age 87, of Wheaton, Minnesota passed away Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at Pioneer Home in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.

Funeral Services will be Friday, July 15, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton, Minnesota with Rev. Michael Breach officiating. Organist will be Sara Lee Rinke with special music provided by Lynae Berger.

Interment will be in St. John Lutheran Cemetery, rural Wheaton. Pallbearers will be Dale Warholm, Ritchie Sellden, Robbie Johnson, Roger Abraham, Keith Sandberg and Jim Neuman.

Visitation will be Thursday, July 14th from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Bainbridge Funeral Home in Wheaton. Visitation will continue Friday morning one hour prior to service time at the church.

Bernice Augusta Sellden was born August 3, 1928 in Dumont, Minnesota to Martin and Edna (Walz) Sellden. She was baptized August 24, 1928 and confirmed August 2, 1942 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Dumont. She grew up in Dumont attending school at District #42. Bernice graduated from Wheaton High School in 1946.

Bernice married Myron Johnson on November 10, 1946 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Dumont. She was baptized, confirmed and married by Pastor Gierke. The couple lived in the Wheaton area all of their lives except for nine years spent in Tintah, Minnesota when Myron was transferred there for work. Bernice raised her two daughters and also worked reupholstering furniture. She was very talented when it came to upholstery, crocheting, knitting, sewing and quilting. Bernice was also a wonderful baker and always tended a large garden.

Bernice served as secretary for Tintah Schools for three years. She worked seventeen years for Traverse County Farm Bureau Insurance Company. She was active in her church serving as secretary and treasurer, was an LWML Member, and volunteered in many other church activities including quilting many years. Bernice also volunteered at the Senior Citizens Center, worked for the American Red Cross and ran the Traverse County Relay for Life.

Bernice is survived by two daughters: Mavis (Bob) Aune of Wendell, Minnesota; and Brenda (Brad) Tews of Wahpeton, North Dakota; four grandchildren: Sonja (Kurt) Johnson of Fergus Falls, Minnesota; Lea (Layne) Aune-Johnson of Bellingham, Washington; Kelli (Al) Karn of Tower City, North Dakota; and Jason (Mary) Tews of Le Sueur, Minnesota; three great-grandchildren: Joseph (Connie) Cooper of Fergus Falls, Minnesota; and Nathan and Sophie Tews of Le Sueur, Minnesota; one sister Doris Warholm of Wheaton; and one brother Louis Sellden of Wheaton.

Bernice was preceded in death by her husband, parents, a grandson, brother Gilbert Sellden and sister Gladys Nielsen.