Bernice Stevens

Bernice died on Monday, December 9, 2013 at St. John’s Lutheran Home.

Bernice Adeline Stevens was born on December 10, 1927 in Northwood, IA, the daughter of Arthur and Bertha (Hanson) Hillman.  She grew up and attended school in Northwood. On May 20, 1944 Bernice was united in marriage to Roy Stevens Jr. in Albert Lea. She was the head cook at Wilson’s. Bernice was a member of the Eagles, the Elks, and First Lutheran Church and the PTA. She enjoyed gardening, embroidery, cooking, baking, canning, sewing, dancing, and playing the accordion. Bernice was active in her church, teaching confirmation classes and Sunday School. She was the first woman to reenact the live nativity in First Lutheran Church in 1959.  She played Mary and her son, Paul, was baby Jesus. Grandma was known for taking care of her grandbabies and always having a full cookie jar.

Survivors include her husband Roy Jr.; children Dwight (Mary) Stevens, Connie Billat, Vickey (John) Mann, David (Cathy) Stevens, Paul (Patti) Stevens, and Scott Stevens; grandchildren Clint, Jackie (Tony) Flatten, Cole (Crystal) Stevens, Joey (Renee) Billat, Michael (Dionne) Billat, Tammy (Ron) Laite, Joshua Prantner, Angie (Jason) Dauer, Rebecca Stevens, Amber Burkart, and Hailey Stevens; 16 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; sisters Dorothy (Wayne) Estes, and Junice (Merle) Skogen, and nieces and nephews.

Bernice was preceded in death by her parents; son-in-law Leon Billat; sisters Ruby Hillman, Inez (George) Henrichs, Mavis (Dwayne) Roppe, Deloris (Russell) Appel, and Ruth (Herschel) Stevens; and brothers Arlington (Alberta) Hillman, Harris (Francis) Hillman and Dale (Ila) Hillman.