Bernice Sorenson, 96

Bernice Sorenson, age 96 of Northfield, passed away Saturday, December 17, 2011 at the Northfield Retirement Center. Funeral Services will be 11:00 am Tuesday, December 20th at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Northfield with burial at the Northfield Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday at the Church 1 hour prior to Services.

Bernice Iona Sorenson, the oldest of 4 children, was born March 29, 1915 on the family farm in New Market Township, the daughter of Christopher and Mary (Tonsager) Markuson. She was raised on the family farm, was confirmed at Highview Christiania Lutheran Church and attended District 65 Country School. Following school she worked in Northfield as a housekeeper for a few years and in 1936 began working as a cook at the Mohn Hall Dormitory at St. Olaf College.

On June 12, 1940 she was united in marriage to Arthur Julius Sorenson at Highview Christiania and they made their home on a rented farm near Webster. In 1944 they purchased their long time home in Greenvale Township on Cedar Avenue, northwest of Northfield, where they dairy farmed and raised their daughter Evonne. They retired from farming in 1976 and moved to 500 West Woodley in Northfield in 1982.

Never one to be idle, Bernice was in the barn with Art when it was time to milk and had a large garden every year and she canned many quarts of vegetables every fall. She was an excellent cook and known for her fresh baked cookies and bread. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, embroidery, playing the piano, the rummy tile game called Rummikub, and visiting with friends and neighbors. She was a longtime member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church where she was active with the Mary Ruth Circle and Ladies Aid and volunteered her time at the Northfield Senior Center.

Bernice Sorenson is survived by daughter Evonne Clay of Northfield; granddaughters Christine Clay of Brooklyn Center, LeeAnn (Scott) Norkunas of Northfield; great granddaughters Lauren Norkunas and Jessica Norkunas; and great-great granddaughters Jayden and Kailynn Wright. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Art; son-in-law Earl Clay; sisters Myrtle Blohm and Mae Gusse; and brother Ernest Markuson.

Memorials to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church or the Northfield Senior Center. Arrangements by the Bierman Funeral Home of Northfield.