Bernice A. Stevens, 85

Published 11:55 am Thursday, December 12, 2013

Funeral services for Bernice A. Stevens, 85, of Albert Lea will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at First Lutheran Church. The Rev. John Holt will officiate. Interment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church. Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Bernice died on Monday, Dec. 9, 2013, at St. John’s Lutheran Community.

Bernice Adeline Stevens was born on Dec. 10, 1927, in Northwood, the daughter of Arthur and Bertha (Hanson) Hillman. She grew up and attended school in Northwood. On May 20, 1944, Bernice was united in marriage to Roy Stevens Jr. in Albert Lea. She was the head cook at Wilson & Co. Bernice was a member of the Eagles, the Elks, First Lutheran Church and the PTA. She enjoyed gardening, embroidery, cooking, baking, canning, sewing, dancing and playing the piano. Bernice was active in her church, teaching confirmation classes and Sunday School. She was the first woman to reenact the live Nativity in First Lutheran Church in 1959. She played Mary and her son, Paul, was baby Jesus. Grandma was known for taking care of her grandbabies and always having a full cookie jar.

Survivors include her husband Roy Jr.; children Dwight (Mary) Stevens, Connie Billat, Vickey (John) Mann, David (Cathy) Stevens, Paul (Patti) Stevens and Scott Stevens; grandchildren Clint, Jackie (Tony) Flatten, Cole (Krystal) Stevens, Joey (Renee) Billat, Michael (Dionne) Billat, Tammy (Ron) Laite, Joshua Prantner, Angie (Jason) Dauer, Rebecca Stevens, Amber Burkart and Hailey Stevens; 16 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; sisters Dorothy (Wayne) Estes and Junice (Merle) Skogen; and nieces and nephews.

Bernice was preceded in death by her parents; son-in-law, Leon Billat; sisters Ruby Hillman, Inez (George) Henrichs, Mavis (Dwayne) Roppe, Deloris (Russell) Appel and Ruth (Herschel) Stevens; and brothers Arlington (Alberta) Hillman, Harris (Francis) Hillman and Dale (Ila) Hillman.