Bernice E. Johnson (Lee)

Bernice E. Johnson (Lee), age 88 of  Clear Lake, WI, died on Saturday, March 28, 2015 at the Golden Age Manor Nursing Home in Amery, WI where she had been a resident since 2003.

Bernice Elsie Johnson was born on July 15, 1926 in the town of Forest, St. Croix County, the daughter of Bert & Eva (Rothe) Willert.  She grew up on a small farm with her family in Forest Township, was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran in Forest, and attended “White Birch” country school thru the 8th grade.   When Bernice was 10 years old her mother died of cancer and at the time, being the oldest of four children, it was up to her to wash and iron clothes, clean the house, and cook and bake for the rest of the family.  In her later teens, she stayed with her aunt in the Twin Cities,  washing dishes at a restaurant and working as a power sewing machine operator for Munsingwear.  Bernice would return to Forest Township on the weekends to be with her family.  In 1943, she met and dated Selmer “Sam” Lee whom she married on February 14, 1945 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, MN.   Together they lived on Sam’s family farm in Clayton, WI and raised five children, Laurene, Linda, Vickie, Larry, & Jim.    In addition to operating the farm, Bernice also worked various jobs over the years including employment at Franklin Signal, Stella Cheese, Fabri-Tech and Johnson Garment.   She was an avid reader and was excellent at sewing and crocheting.  Bernice also excelled at bowling and participated on several teams and tournaments over the years.  After her husband Sam’s death in 1977, she continued to work and take care of her family.  Bernice was married to Morris Johnson on   January 4, 1980 and made their home in Clear Lake.   They enjoyed over twenty years together and traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada.  She will be sorely missed by her family and friends.  

She is preceded in death by her husbands, Selmer “Sam” Lee & Morris Johnson;
parents, Bert & Eva Willert;  
grandchild, Kara Danielson;  great grandchildren, Tony & Rhonda Hellstern;  
2 infant brothers;  brother, Daniel Willert;
& sisters, Leona Gullickson & Myrl Davis

Survived by
Daughters & Sons
Laurene (Arnie) Klatt  -  Clear Lake, WI
Linda (Norm) Bratteig  -  Hayward, WI
Vickie (Dick) Danielson  -  Clear Lake, WI
Larry (Elaine) Lee  -  Clayton, WI
Jim Lee (Janet Koch) -  Clayton, WI

Step Son
Morris D. (Mary) Johnson  -  Hudson, WI

Grandchildren
Laura (Eric) Hawksford,  Cheri (John) Lee,  Jason (Cara) Klatt,
Mike Lee, Stacey Lee,  Deena Danielson, Tammy Hellstern, Tracey (Kevin) Fall,
Valerie Bloom, Bethany Lee, & Marissa Lee

Step Grandchildren
Melissa (Shane) Benoy, Heidi (George) Eilertson,  & Eric (Karen) Johnson

14 Great Grandchildren

Brother & Sister
Norman (Ella) Willert  - Menomonie, WI
Phyllis Johnson  -  Minnetonka, MN

Many Other Family & Friends

Funeral Services at 11;00 on  Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at Moe Lutheran Church in Clear Lake, WI

Visitation on Tuesday from 5 - 8 pm at the Scheuermann Funeral Home in Clear Lake and an hour before the service
at the church on Wednesday.

Interment  -  Marsh Lake Cemetery,  Clayton, WI

Clergy  -  Pastor Margaret Grant         Music  -  Carol VanHeuklom

Casket Bearers  -  Norm Bratteig, Dick Danielson, Arnie Klatt, Jim Lee, Larry Lee, Mike Lee

Scheuermann Funeral Home and Cremation Services is handling the arrangements
www.clearlakefuneralhome.com

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