Bernice Evelyn Nordaune, age 94, of Benson, died Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at the Golden Living-Center Meadow Lane in Benson, Minnesota. Services: 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 27, 2014, at the Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church in Benson. Interment will be held in the Benson City Cemetery. Visitation: Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service at the Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church in Benson. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church, the ALS Association, and Rice Hospice. Bernice Evelyn (Stangeland) Nordaune was born July 30, 1919 to Ole and Cecilia (Aarthun) Stangeland at their farm home in Barsness Township south of Starbuck. She was called from this life on Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at the Golden Living Center - Meadow Lane in Benson. Bernice was baptized October 26 at Zion Lutheran Church in Starbuck. She was confirmed into Christian Faith October 8 at East Zion Lutheran Church by Rev. K.R. Palmer. She grew up in Pope County. Her parents lived in Barsness, Rolling Forks and White Bear Lake townships. She attended school in Dist. 51 (Langhei) and Dist. 77 (Rolling Forks). She graduated from country school in 1933. She worked for the Dr. Giesen family, caring for their children and doing housework. She then spent two years working for the Dr. Logefeil family by Lake Harriet (Minneapolis) and then worked as a cook at the Minnewaska District Hospital until her marriage to Elvin Nordaune on March 8, 1942, being the first couple to be married in the new Zion Church sanctuary. To this union, three sons were born. Together they were able to share in 65 years of marriage. They lived in the Starbuck area until 1949 when they moved to the Walter Smith farm south of Benson, in Cashel Township, where they lived until they bought the Christ Mortenson farm, also in Cashel Township. After Elvin retired from farming, they enjoyed 10 years at their cottage on Lake Minnewaska. In 1990, they moved to their new home in Benson. Bernice was an active member of Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church serving on the Stewardship Board, Altar Guild, ORW Circle, Bible Study, Quilting Group, and helped stitch many quilts for Luther Crest Bible Camp fund raising auctions. She enjoyed her family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; playing cards; traveling; and being with friends, especially during retirement days to go for breakfast at various places with the Westwood Early Birds retirees and for a fun time with the "Red Hatters" ladies. Bernice is survived by two sons, Dale (Kathleen) Nordaune of North Branch and Gary (Wendy) Nordaune of Detroit Lakes; daughter-in-law, Sandra Nordaune of Benson; five grandchildren: Derek Nordaune, Teresa Nordaune, Adam Nordaune, Trisha Nordaune, and Abby Nordaune; granddaughter-in-law, Beth Nordaune of Rochester; eight great-grandchildren: Autumn Atchison, Brendon Nordaune, Chelsey Nordaune, Kodi Rodriguez, Ava Rose Nordaune, Laurel Nordaune, Madison Capraotta, and Leo Nordaune; one great-great-grandchild; one brother, Irwin Stangeland of Glenwood; two sisters, Naomi Briest of Seattle, WA, and Elsie Gonzalez of Port Orchard, WA; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ole and Cecilia Stangeland; husband, Elvin Nordaune in 2007; son, James Nordaune; grandson, Jason Nordaune; brother, Hans Stangeland; and five sisters: Clara Ludlum, Hannah Nygaard, Alice Anderson, Orpha Caughie, and Florence Haugen. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church, the ALS Association, and Rice Hospice.
