Bernice Schenck

Bernice L. Schenck, 96, of Hawley, MN passed away Wednesday, August 31, in Viking Manor Nursing Home, Ulen, MN.

Bernice Lorine Melby was born on April 3, 1920 in Rustad, MN to Laurits and Bertha Albertson Melby. She grew up on the family farm, which was right on the Red River. Bernice was active in 4-H and even won the Clay County Spelling Bee. She attended school through 8th grade in Rustad before heading off to Moorhead for High School where she graduated 4th in her class. She then went on and received her degree from Interstate Business College.

Bernice married George Schenck on July 14, 1940 at Downer Presbyterian Church. They farmed and raised their 10 children south of Hawley. Bernice worked very hard on the family dairy farm and tended to a huge garden. George and Bernice loved to travel together and play cards with family and friends. She also loved quilting and creating beautiful hardanger embroidery.

Bernice is survived by her children, Donald Adelle, Hawley; Sandra Petermann John Froelich, Moorhead; Mary Ellen Dennis Anderson, Eden Prairie, MN; Merle Barb, Hawley; John Kim Hawley; Paul Nancy, Hawley; Steven, Hawley; Doris Joe Gravelle, Detroit Lakes, MN, and Elizabeth Mark Burns, Hawley; sisters, Adeline Corwin, Doris Siefert, Vivian Poach; brothers, Lynn Elaine Melby, Alan Loretta Melby, Rodney Diane Melby, Gary Carol Melby; sister-in-law, Bonnie Melby; 34 grandchildren, 53 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband; daughter, Karen; sister, Gloria; brother, Stanley; sons-in-law, Richard McDonald and Donald Burnside; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Visitation: Saturday, September 3, 2016 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM with a prayer service beginning at 7 PM in Hawley Lutheran Church, Hawley, MN.

Funeral: Sunday, September 4, 2016 at 5:00 PM in Hawley Lutheran Church.

Interment: Hawley Cemetery, Hawley, MN.