Bernice Thell

Bernice Thell, 94, died Monday, October 16, 2006 at Woodland Good Samaritan Village. Funeral Services will be October 21, 2006 at 10:30 at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter with Reverend Bob Twiton officiating, with visitation starting at 9 am until the time of service. Burial will be at the Calvary Lutheran Cemetery in Bemidji.
Bernice was born June 16, 1912 in Winnebago, MN to Thomas and Jerusha (Buck) Viall. She moved to Northfield, with her parents, at the age of 10 and graduated from Northfield High School. On November 22, 1936 she was united in marriage to Lyle Thell at St. Paul. The couple farmed at Maple Plain until 1969 when they moved to Bemidji and cared for the mentally challenged through social services. She moved to Brainerd in 1986, following her husbands death in 1984. Bernice enjoyed spending time with her family and growing flowers.

Bernice is survived by her children, Lyle (Barb) Thell of Lake Shore, Robert (Karen) Thell of Colby, WI, Karen (Russel) Bangerter of Blaine, Joyce (John) Loftus of Seattle, WA; eleven grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild; two sisters Lillian Olson of Brainerd and Rebecca Sandon of Mankato. Her parents; one sister, Ellen; three brothers, Raymond, Bobby and Jim preceded her in death.