Bernice E. Thompson, 94, of Austin, Minnesota, died Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018, at St. Marks Lutheran Home.

Bernice E. (Braaten) Thompson was born on May 19, 1923, in Mower County. She was the ninth of 13 children born to Tom and Anna (Thompson) Braaten. She attended school in Austin and married her sweetheart, Sylvester L. Thompson, July 21, 1942, in the chapel at St. Olaf Lutheran Church.

The Thompsons made their home in Corning, Minnesota, and worked at the Geo. A. Hormel Co. until retiring. For 33 years they wintered in Arizona. She was a lifelong member of Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church and passionate about helping with their annual Strawberry Festival.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Tillman, Henry, Ole, Chester, and George;  and sisters, Myrtle, Hazel, Alice, Melda, Edna, Netta and Ann.

Bernice is survived by her son and daughter-in-law; Wayne and Peggy Thompson, Apache Junction, Arizona; grandchildren, Dave [Beth] Thompson, Lansing, Minnesota, Thomas Burback, Eau Claire, Wisconsin and Lisa Burback, Austin, Minnesota; great-grandchildren, Emily and Eric Thompson, Dillon Erickson, Roxanne Burback, Katilyn Wirth and Kami Burback; great-great grandchildren, Elija and Dawson; sisters- in-law, Selma Lysne, Austin, Minnesota; Irene Thompson, Austin; many loving nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 10, at Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church with Pastor Lindsay Stolen officiating. Interment will be at Red Oak Grove Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary from 4-6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 9, and at the church on Wednesday morning for one hour before the service.