Bernice Stangler, age 83
Bernice B. Stangler, age 83, of New Prague, died Thursday, February 4, 2016, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.
Born April 28, 1932 to Leonard and Dorothy (Dieckmann) Farber in Grey Eagle, MN, her family moved to the New Prague area where she attended school.
Bernice was united in marriage to Gerald E. Stangler of Kilkenny, MN, on June 9, 1949 at St. Wenceslaus Church. After several years living on a farm in the Kilkenny area the couple moved to New Prague where they made their home and raised 7 children. While raising her family, Bernice also worked outside the home as a seamstress at Jason’s Sewing Factory, Munsingwear, a Stanley Home Products representative, a house cleaner and groundskeeper, but the occupation she loved most was being a school bus driver. She spent 39 years driving bus in both the New Prague area and the mountains of Denver, Colorado.
Throughout her life Bernice had many hobbies. She loved sewing, crocheting, bowling, playing cards, collecting dolls and building doll houses. She often cared for distressed little animals and loved to watch birds. Her favorite was the hummingbird. Each spring she delighted in preparing for their return to her feeder. Later in life she enjoyed outings to casinos with family and friends.
Bernice is survived by children Ronald and Jeannette Stangler of New Prague, Richard and Elaine Stangler of San Diego, CA, Geraldine and Gordon Ziesmer of Valley Springs, AR, Randall and Lori Stangler of Lonsdale, Tamara and Steven Vosejpka of Webster, Robin and Gerald Schroeder of Jordan, and Rodney and special friend Donna Steiner of Veseli. Also surviving her are 18 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren and 2 great - great grandchildren, her sister Dorothy Michel, husband Robert, of Jordan, sister-inlaw Myrtice Farber, New Prague, devoted friend Rita Nash, New Prague, her bus driving family and many other family and friends. She is preceded in death by Gerald Stangler, her parents, and brothers Leroy Dieckmann of Minneapolis and Elmer (Pete) Farber of New Prague.
A celebration of her life will be held Friday, February 12, 2016, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in New Prague. Visitation is at 10:00 followed by a memorial service at 11:00. Lunch will be served in the church hall immediately after the service
