Bernice Beck

Bernice Agnes Beck

Bernice Agnes Beck passed away Sunday, November 2nd, 2014 at the age of 96 years. Bernice was born April 16, 1918 in St. Francis, Minnesota to William and Olga Sandey to join a growing family of 9. On September 17, 1938, she married Parmer Beck and lived in Northeast Minneapolis, Spring Lake Park and finally at their long time home in Columbia Heights. During that time, they raised 2 daughters, Marlene and Roxann. Bernice sewed clothes for herself and both her daughters and passed along the skill to them as well. She also developed the utmost skills in knitting and crocheting and many were blessed with gifts of her creations of lace tablecloths, doilies, snowflakes, angels and caps for chemotherapy patients.

For her whole working life, she worked in Minneapolis in the garment district as a power sewing machine operator making designer coats for major department stores. She loved spending time with her family and friends and the memories of the huge family picnics at her sister Margaret's cabin was with her until the end. Summer weekends and vacation time, Bernice and Parm went camping and fishing all over Minnesota. They started with an "add on" tent to the Rambler station wagon, spent many years in the upgrade to the tent camper and finally to travel trailers that grew in length and modern amenities over the final years. After her retirement, they were able to spend a few years of the glorious weather winter months in Brownsville, Texas in a mobile park community with family and friends.

After Parm passed away in 1985, Bernice continued to live in their home in Columbia Heights along with Marlene. She traveled with family and friends to visit her mother's homeland of Norway and also to Hawaii, Alaska along with various bus excursions around the United States.

Once the family home became too much for them to maintain, Bernice and Marlene moved in March of 2000 to Real Life Co-Op in Mounds View where she became a "founder" as one of the first residents. There she established wonderful friendships with many who watched out for her over the 14 years. She loved playing cards (still had her pouch of gambling monies), cooking, joining in the pot lucks and visiting.

Bernice lived a full life blessed with family and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Parmer; brothers, Wally and Lloyd; sisters, Ellen, Margaret and Oriet. Surviving her are daughters, Marlene and Roxann and her husband Rick Brown; grandchildren, Bill Brown, Sr and Jenny Brown; beloved great grandchildren, Billy Jr and Bradley; brother, Ray and his wife, Marie; sisters, Lauraine Blaska and Audrey Grams; special sisters-in-law, Roscella Beck of Pendleton, Oregon, Lorraine Beck of Fridley; along with many other extended family members and friends. Also survived by special long time friend, Fran Renner.

All services will be held at Miller Funeral Home, 6210 Highway 65 NE in Fridley, MN. Visitation will be Thursday November 6th from 5-8pm with the funeral service the next day, Friday November 7th at 11am (visitation 1 hour prior). Internment will be at Sunset Cemetery, Minneapolis. Memorials preferred.

www.millerfuneralfridley.com