Bernice Berg had already left her mark on the Austin community when she retired from teaching in 1971.

But she again decided to share with the community again -- this time after her death -- with donations to about 20 causes.

One of those was the Austin Public Education Foundation, which received a $65,000 donation in her name Thursday at a presentation to the foundation board in the school museum.

"She taught for years and gave a gift and now she just gave a gift," said Candice Raksin, foundation board president and Ellis Middle School principal.

William Schaffer, Berg's trustee, officially presented the donation to the foundation.

"She was a very gracious lady," Schaffer said.

Schaffer said Berg was very frugal with her money and that she wanted her donations to go to local organizations and charities. She also donated money to her alma mater, Winona State University.

Her $65,000 donation will be put into the foundation fund, which is invested in diversified stocks, said Lowell Foster, the foundation's treasurer.

The board takes requests for the money for items or activities that benefit children, said Peggy Benzkofer, the foundation's executive director. The money does not go toward employee salaries or fees parents pay, she said.

The fund began in the early '90s with a $100,000 donation -- the largest single contribution the fund has received. Berg's $65,000 donation is on the higher end.

"This is an extraordinarily large gift for us," Benzkofer said.

Berg died June 18 at St. John's Lutheran home in Albert Lea at the age of 96.

She taught at schools throughout the country and spent her last years of teaching middle school in Austin. In her spare time she traveled throughout the world to the Middle East, Europe, Africa and South America.

Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at :mailto:cari.quam@austindailyherald.com