Bernice T. Meyer

Bernice T. Meyer died Sunday, September 18, 2005 at the Villa Maria in Fargo, surrounded by her family. Bernice was born June 9, 1915 to Tosten "Tom" and Aagodt "Olga" Nerby Johnson near Robinson, North Dakota. She was the oldest of twelve children. She spent her childhood years growing up on her parent's farm northeast of Robinson, North Dakota. She attended rural school and graduated from the 8th grade on June 1, 1931. Soon after graduation she took a job doing full time house work for $2.50 a week. She married Earl Newton on October 13, 1940 at Bowden, North Dakota. Together they farmed and raised a family of five children 9 miles north of Tuttle, ND until May 1956 when they moved to Hawley, MN. Bernice became a widow when Earl died in an accident at the young age of 47. She was left to raise five children alone. Bernice did some babysitting for a local school instructor until she was hired as a seamstress at St. Luke's Hospital in Fargo. She worked there for nine years. Bernice was noted for her beautiful quilts and creative hand-stitching work. She presented every member of her family with quilts, as well as others in the community. She belonged to the Hawley Garden Club and devoted many hours helping to beautify Hawley with flowers which were one of her great joys in life. Bernice won many awards and ribbons for her incredible work. Bernice met Weston Meyer and they were married on February 23, 1968. Together they did some traveling and enjoyed bowling on a Hawley team for several years. Weston passed away on January 28, 1993. In later years, after her children were grown, Bernice traveled quite extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe. On some of her trips, her adult children accompanied her. Her travels brought her much pleasure and were enjoyed to the fullest, just as she lived every day of her life. She loved music and dancing. To the family's delight, she danced at her 90th birthday party. She was always stoic in times of disappointment. She was ever optimistic. She was a devoted mother, much loved by her family. Bernice is survived by two daughters, two sons, ten grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. Elaine Giere, Saskatoon, Canada, Harold Betsy Newton, Chicago, IL, Evie Chuck Ulven, Moorhead, MN, and Alan Joyce Newton, Hawley, MN; five brothers and sisters, Marvin Gail Nerby, Steele, ND, Arlene Dewald, Dawson, ND, Beulah Earl Harrington, Robinson, ND, Harold Genevieve Nerby, Dawson, ND, and Hazel O'Neal, Fallon, Nevada. The family would like to gratefully acknowledge all the loving, devoted care which Bernice received at both the Hawley Manor and more recently the Villa Maria in Fargo, and Hospice of the Red River Valley.