Bernice Nohner

Bernice M. Nohner, age 88 of Melrose, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Sunday, April 5, 2015, at the CentraCare Health Nursing Home in Melrose, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 9 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Sts. Bernard and Elizabeth Society and Christian Mothers will pray at 5 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Bernice Margaret Froehling was born February 17, 1927, in Watkins, Minnesota, to Mathew and Frances (Dockendorf) Froehling. On October 1, 1945, she was united in marriage to Fabian Nohner at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Watkins. Bernice brought a warm, welcoming and vibrant spirit to the resort she and Fabian operated on Big Birch Lake for 40 years. Her hospitality brightened the days for family, friends and guests to the lake. She also loved sharing her fishing tips and expertise with anyone who would listen. Her life's enjoyment was forever reflected in her nine children, 13 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose, Christian Mothers, St. Mary's Mission Group, and Sts. Bernard and Elizabeth Society. She loved to join other women in quilting circles.

Survivors include her children, Gary (Jan) Nohner of Richmond, Al (Peggy) Nohner of Bemidji, Sharon Nohner, O.S.B. of St. Benedict's Monastery, Shirley Nohner, O.S.B. of Minneapolis, Kevin (Mary) Nohner of Omaha, Nebraska, Jeff (Rita) Nohner of Minneapolis, Julie (Amy) Nohner of St. Cloud, Beth (Haji) Kabba of Minneapolis, and John (Ardis) Nohner of Vadnais Heights; 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; brothers and sister, Eldred (Leila) Froehling of Watkins, Donald (Corrine) Froehling of Watkins, Joe (Jeannie) Froehling of Excelsior, and Margie (Doug) Fobbe of Maple Lake; sister-in-law, Margaret Froehling of Rogers; and brother-in-law, Phil Schreiner of Tomah, Wisconsin.

Bernice was preceded in death by her husband, Fabian Nohner, on July 12, 1997; parents; brother, Eugene Froehling; and sister, Dianne Schreiner.

Serving as casket bearers will be Travis Nohner, Matthew Nohner, Michael Nohner, Luke Nohner, Joel Nohner, Jonathan Sidmore, Ian Nohner, and Nick Nohner. Cross bearer will be Tawnya Arueya and scripture bearer will be Emily Nohner. Honorary bearers will be Jazzmine Sidmore and Kayleen Kabba.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Big Birch Lake Association.