Bernice Himmerich

Memorial Services for Bernice E. (Jensrud) Himmerich of New Richland, MN will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, March 10, 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 Reverend Paul Andree will officiate. Bernice died on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at the New Richland Care Center. She was born on December 25, 1929 in Esmond, ND to Olai and Cora J. (Holje) Jensrud. After high school graduation, Bernice worked at a creamery in Esmond, ND. She did bookkeeping and worked at Land-O-Lakes in Valley City, ND. While at Land-O-Lakes, she met the love of her life and married Ervin Himmerich on July 3, 1949 in Esmond, ND. They made their home in Valley City over the next several years where their 3 children were born. They moved to Thief River Falls, MN in 1954 where they lived until 1968. From there they moved to New Richland, MN and 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 the 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 US. 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, WI; sons, Gary (Gail) Himmerich of Byron, MN and Bruce (Janet) Himmerich of Albert Lea, MN; 8 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, ND, brothers-in-law, Herman Westrich of St. Louis, MO; Herbert (Jean) Himmerich of San Luis Obispo, CA and Melvin Himmerich of Tacoma, WA; Wayne Spriggle of Longview, WA. She was preceded in death by her husband Ervin in July of 2016, son-in-law Albert Gates, her parents, sisters; Charlotte and her husband Frank Motschenbacher, Thelma Westrich, brother; Hilmer Jensrud and his wife Betty and sister-in-law, Tootie Jensrud.