Alverna Bierschbach

Alverna M. Bierschbach, age 92 of Melrose, formerly of Elrosa, died Saturday, December 12, 2009 at Pine Villa Care Center in Melrose, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11a.m. Tuesday, December 15 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Elrosa with Rev. Jeff Ethen officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday and from 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Patton-Schad Funeral home in Melrose. Christian Mothers will pray at 5:30 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 7 p.m. Monday evening at the funeral home.

Alverna Mary Kraemer was born May 21, 1917 in Lake Henry, Minnesota to Jacob and Hedwig (Jaeger) Kraemer. On September 13, 1943, she was united in marriage to Sylvester J. Bierschbach at St. Margaret's Catholic Church in Lake Henry. The couple farmed in Lake George Township, Stearns County until 1971 when they retired and moved to Elrosa. Alverna was a resident of Park View in Melrose from 2002 thru 2008, and then became a resident of the Pine Villa Care Center on December 1, 2008.

Alverna was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Elrosa and the Christian Mothers. She loved to play BINGO and helped cook for many weddings. She also enjoyed embroidering, quilting, and gardening. Alverna always had a big smile whenever her grandchildren and great-grandchildren came to visit.

Alverna is survived by her children, Marvin (Jane) Bierschbach of St. Joseph, Roger Bierschbach of Elrosa, and Eileen (Ralph) Dingmann of Belgrade; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; brother, Dennis (Tuddie) Kraemer of Paynesville; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Alverna was preceded in death by her husband, Sylvester J. Bierschbach on May 23, 2002; parents; sisters, Loretta Hopfer and Renilda Fuerstenberg; and brother, Leo Kraemer.

Serving as casket bearers will be Kevin Bierschbach, Keith Bierschbach, Eric Dingmann, Mathew Dingmann, Adam Dingmann, and Kurt Dingmann. Honorary bearers will be all of the members of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church.