Bernice V. Lunde

Bernice V. Lunde, age 93 of Grafton, ND and formerly of McMinnville, OR and St. Thomas, ND, passed away on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at the Lutheran Sunset Home of Grafton. Bernice Victoria Anderson was born February 2, 1921 on the family farm outside of Bagley, MN, the daughter of the late Ole and Marie (Holman) Anderson. Bernice grew up and attended school there. She often spoke of the times she walked five miles to town to attend church, sharing a bedroom with 6 sisters, baking and making all her clothes with her mother and sisters. Bernice met Selmer Lunde through her brother Carl who was working on a farm in St. Thomas, ND. Selmer would hitch-hike as often as he could to Bagley to visit Bernice and her family. They enjoyed picnics, visiting Itasca State Park and attending church. The couple was united in marriage on March 8, 1941 in South Bend, IN. Upon returning to North Dakota they farmed NE of St. Thomas on the Lunde family farm. There the couple raised three children, Carol, Clayton and Roger. After moving to town, Sammy and "Bernie," as Bernice was affectionately referred to by the younger generation, owned and operated Sammy's Standard gas station. Those years were the happiest and most fulfilling years of Bernice's life. The couple was inseparable and worked side by side at the service station six days a week; Sammy servicing cars and Bernice cleaning cars and pumping gas. They also found time for custodial work at St. John's Lutheran Church, which they were active members, and the St. Thomas School. It was difficult to find them home on a Saturday night as they traveled the local area for dancing with friends and family. Upon Sammy's passing in June of 1979, Bernice moved to McMinnville, OR to be near her daughter and family. There she enjoyed meeting new friends, traveling to the Oregon Coast and the Columbia River Gorge. Bernice was an incredible cook and baker. Her specialty was lefse and homemade bread. Among her favorite things in life were drives in the country, dancing, cooking, country music, hummingbirds, growing flowers, and visiting with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is survived by her daughter Carol Olson, Crookston, MN, son Roger Lunde, Hensel, ND, grandchildren: Todd Widme, Cheryl Widme-Howard, Barbie (Tracy) Seim, Trina (Blaine) Papenfuss, Holly Perry, Jennifer (Dave) Elliot, Troy (Jennifer) Lunde, great grandchildren: Wyatt Papenfuss, Haley Widme, Emma Papenfuss, Taylor Howard, Britney Perry, Brittany Elliot, Brenden Elliot, Caden Papenfuss, Bailey Seim, and siblings: Carl Anderson, Herman (Lois) Anderson, Milo Anderson, Evelyn Waggoner, and Alvina Norley, all of Bagley, MN. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Clayton, an infant son, and siblings: Ingvald, Edna, Elise, Myrtle, and Anna. A candlelight service will be held Monday, February 2, 2015 at 6:30 P.M. at the St. John's Lutheran Church of St. Thomas. Inurnment will be at the St. Thomas City Cemetery in the spring.