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Submitted: 8/26/11 • Approved: 8/26/11 • Last Updated: 8/13/15 • R128361-G128360-S3
1914--2008
Bernice A. (Nelson, Starr) Muilenburg passed away on Sunday April 6th, 2008 at Southridge Health Care Center; she was 94. Bernice Alvina Carlson was born on March 15, 1914 near Beresford South Dakota to August and Bertha Carlson. Bernice was graduated from Beresford High School in 1932 and attended St Olaf College in Northfield Minnesota. She married Kermit Nelson in 1936. Bernice and Kermit operated a farm near Canton until 1957, when they moved to Sioux Falls. Bernice enjoyed sewing and was an accomplished seamstress, sewing clothing for herself and her children. After moving to Sioux Falls, she worked as an alterations seamstress for Maury's, which later became Carvers, where she was known as Nellie. She also sewed wedding gowns. She retired from Carvers after she and Kermit returned to farming near Alcester. Kermit passed away in 1974. Bernice married Robert Starr in 1976. They lived at Buffalo Lake South Dakota where they enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and outdoor activities, Mr. Starr passed away in 1985. Bernice married Robert Muilenburg in 1995. They lived in Sioux Falls where they enjoyed listening to music, attending the symphony and playing their organ and pianos. Dr Muilenburg passed away in 2002. Bernice loved music and art. She sang with the Ladies Chorus at Romsdal Lutheran Church in rural Lincoln County and the Women's Choir at First Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. She often said that at Buffalo Lake Church she 'was the choir'. Bernice enjoyed creating portraits, landscapes, and still life in oil and pastels, many of which adorned her room at Southridge. Bernice was a woman of strong faith in God and was not afraid to share her faith with others. She led the adult Sunday School class at Romsdal for many years and was a frequent participant in Bible study at First Lutheran Church. Bernice had a passion for Al-Anon Family Group; she enjoyed being with and helping other people in families affected by alcohol addictions. She spoke at several regional, national and international conventions, giving her ‘coloring book' talk. In addition to her husbands, Bernice was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Earl, Clarence and Harold Carlson; her sister Anna Spillman, and her granddaughters Kari Vahle and Elizabeth Wright. She is survived by her children Anne Nelson of Phoenix, Nancy Nelson of Phoenix, John M. (Bonnie) Nelson of Sioux Falls, and Kris (Pat) Roberts of Brandon; 7 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren; her step-children Robert Muilenburg of Arlington Virginia, Martha (Jim) Burdick of Mesa Arizona, Lynn Crytzer of Charlottesville Virginia and Terry Muilenburg (Christopher DeGraw) of Arlington Virginia; 5 step-grandchildren and 1 step-great grandchild.
Contributed on 8/26/11 by bjbraaten
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Record #: 128361