Bernice Wiese Mahnke

Bernice Wiese Mahnke entered this world on December 9, 1927 in Austin,

Minnesota. She left this world on April 20, 2024.

Family lore has it that when Bernice was born, very young brother Nathan harnessed up the horses to the sleigh to fetch the doctor in a December Minnesota blizzard. Bernice was welcomed by her parents Anna and Ed, brothers Nathan and Keith (Butch). Dolores, her sister would follow a few years later. Childhood years on the family farm came to an end with the Great Depression. The family moved to “town” to 714 Oakland Avenue. The family of 6, boarders and cousin Loretta all lived in a 2 bedroom, one bath, 2 story house. It was a cracker box of a house held together by layers of wallpaper. Her father Ed worked in the Hormel slaughterhouse and a WPA project digging East Side Lake-in the land of 10,000 lakes seems there could have been a more needed project.

Bernice attended St Augustine Elementary school and Pacelli High School along with her brothers and sister Dolores. As seen in photo albums Bernice had an active social life and wonderful friends. Kindergarten through high school her friend was Marie Crowe who later in life became her sister-in-law. Marie preceded Bernice in death by a few months. Dolores followed Bernice a few weeks after Bernice’s passing. The 3 were not apart long.

After high school Bernice worked in the accounting office at Hormel. She worked along side Jim Hormel who would later in life be ambassador to Luxemberg, and fellow Bay Area resident. (Hormel family members had to learn the family business) Glenn and Bernice were devoted to the company their entire lives. They would say Hormel Company was very good to them. Against all financial advice-they would never sell their stocks.

Bernice met Glenn in Austin and they married in 1951. They got in the car and drove to El Paso, Texas as Glenn was drafted into the army. This was a happy fun time for them. Their friends were also young couples away from their hometowns for the 1st time. Mary and Jerry Lunkus became lifelong friends. There would be annual cross-country drives back to Minnesota every summer for the next three decades.

First child Ann Margaret was born in El Paso. One year later to the day Nancy Catherine was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. By this time Glenn was back working for Hormel as a district manager. The next move was to Columbia, South Carolina where Judith Marie joined the family. Next stop was New Orleans where Thomas Owen was born. The New Orleans years were very happy for Bernice and Glenn. They had great friends as did the kids. 1971 was the last move. Glenn had dreamed of living in California from the 1st time he was there in the 1940’s with the Hormel Girls all Women’s Marching Band doing grocery store openings. Bernice and Glenn came and stayed until their dying days.

During her lifetime Bernice enjoyed playing bridge and golf. She was an excellent Girl Scout leader and always the school room mother. She drove carpools, made meals and made sure everyone knew how to clean. Don’t think that dresser is dusted if you have not moved everything off and really dusted. She was also great at sewing. She made many of her children’s clothes and they were passed on through the ages. Although Glenn and Bernice did not have college degrees they made sure all four of their children were well educated. They sent the kids through a total of 48 years of Catholic schools and all four earned college degrees.

Bernice was a parishioner at St Gregory’s Church for 53 years. Kindly JoAnn brought Bernice communion at home every Sunday. To the last of her days Bernice read the San Francisco Chronicle every day. The date on the paper gave her a grounding for time and she was always up to date on the news. Her paper copy of the Chronicle connected her to the world outside the room she was confined to for so long

Bernice was predeceased in death by Glenn, and daughter Nancy. She is survived by children Ann Mahnke, Judith Mahnke, Thomas Mahnke. She has 4 grandchildren: Matthew Mahnke Dalrymple, Camden Mahnke-Knoll, Madison Mahnke-Knoll, Sarah Mahnke-Baum. When Bernice’s reality started to faulter she never forgot her grandchildren. She is also survived by devoted nieces Jeanne King and Chrissey Overfelt.

Bernice was lovingly cared for by her caregiving team lead by Tara. The caregivers were with Bernice when she moved on and they and their families escorted with song and prayer her spirit to the other side. Thank you to all the caregivers for making Bernice’s last years on earth comfortable.

Funeral Mass will be at St Gregory’s Catholic Church in San Mateo August 24th at 10 AM. Burial will be at Sky Lawn August 26th at 9 AM. Please let Judy know if you plan to attend. Donations can be made in Bernice’s honor to Scholarships at Pacelli High School Austin, Minnesota.