Bernice Rudell Larson, age 84, passed away on March 31, 2014 at the Prairie Lakes Hospital in Watertown, South Dakota. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 7, 2014, at Big Bend Lutheran Church in Big Bend, Minnesota, with Pastor Keith Long officiating. Interment will be at Big Bend Lutheran Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 6, 2014, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the church with a Prayer Service at 6:30 p.m. and for one hour prior to the service on Monday. Arrangements are with the Zniewski Funeral Home - Vaala Chapel in Appleton. www.zniewskifuneralhome.com Bernice Rudell (Joyce) Larson was born on December 9, 1929, in Kragero Township, Chippewa County, Minnesota, the daughter of Stephen and Annette (Reimers) Joyce. She was baptized and confirmed at Kviteseid Lutheran Church in Milan, Minnesota. She grew up on a farm near Milan and attended Milan school through the eighth grade. Bernice was united in marriage to Percy Raymond Larson on December 15, 1947 at the Swift County Court House in Benson, Minnesota. This union was blessed with over 60 years of marriage, one son, three daughters, eight grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren. Bernice was a wonderful homemaker and helped Percy with the farm work and caring for his mother. Among the things she enjoyed were fishing, gardening, cooking, sewing, singing, playing cards, and marbles. In her younger years, Bernice taught Sunday School at Big Bend Lutheran Church and in her later years, she was the Chairperson of Resident Council at the Appleton Nursing Home. Bernice was called from this life on March 31, 2014 at the Prairie Lakes Hospital in Watertown, South Dakota. She attained the age of 84 years, 3 months, and 22 days. Blessed be the memory of Bernice Rudell Larson. Bernice is survived by her daughters: Linda Larson of Willmar, Peggy (Nick) Miller of Montevideo, and Donna Larson of Danvers; grandchildren: Robert Pitts, Tammy Pitts, Veronica (Rick) Koopmeiners, Victoria Miller, William Miller (special friend, Lisa Crandall), Jason (Lacey) Larson, Nathan (Laura) Larson, and Joshua Larson; great-grandchildren: Matthew Koopmeiners, Natalie Koopmeiners, Nichole Koopmeiners, Willie Joe Miller, Benjamin Miller, Percy Miller, Maddison Miller, Dylan Larson, Wyatt Larson, Cassidy Larson, Ashley Larson, Makenna Larson, Brooke Larson, Jacob Larson, and Nyssa Larson; brothers: Kenny Joyce of Circle Pine and Ron Joyce of Appleton; sisters: Edith Sadergaski of Appleton and Luella (Richard) Flifet of Richfield; and special family friend, Brad Nordby. She was preceded in death by her husband, Percy in 2008; son, Wayne Larson; parents, Stephen and Annette Joyce; father-in-law, Peter Larson; mother-in-law, Regina Larson; sisters: Delores Martinson and Leatrice Melde; brothers: Arthur Joyce and Lamar Joyce; and several other sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.
