Bernece R. Bollerud

Bernece Ruby Bollerud, age 89 of Upland Hills Nursing and Rehab Center in Dodgeville, formerly of Hollandale, died early Sunday morning, March 8, 2009 at Upland Hills in Dodgeville. She was born on August 30, 1919 in the Town of Emmet in Marathon County, Wisconsin, the daughter of Knute & Carrie (Breisath) Haroldson. She graduated from Stratford High School, then graduated from the County Normal School as a teacher. Bernece taught for several years in rural schools in Marathon, Dane and Iowa Counties. She lived in Mount Horeb up until her marriage on August 31, 1954 to Robert H. Bollerud in Blanchardville. She went back to college in the evenings, and graduated from Platteville College in 1963. Her last position was in the Hollandale school where she taught for many years. Upon her retirement she had been teaching for 33 years. She was a member of Hollandale Lutheran Church where she was very active in the Ladies' Aide, Bible studies, and quilting. She loved quilting, and made quilts for all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Bernece cherished her grandchildren, and time spent with them. She also never missed the senior citizens card playing at the Countryside Lanes every week. Bernece loved going out to eat with her family and friends. Her family loved her cooking and baking, especially her banana bread. She was very fond of her Norwegian heritage, and was famous for her Ole & Lena jokes.
Bernece is survived by three children, Sandra (Jerry) Dammen of Blanchardville, Diane (Melvin) Kleppe of Hollandale, and Bob (Mary) Tschanz of Hollandale; 11 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bob who died on August 30, 1993; 2 brothers, Julius and Douglas Haroldson and her sister Alma Seehafer.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 12, 2009 at 11:00 AM at the Hollandale Lutheran Church in Hollandale. Rev. Mark Gruner assisted by intern Dave Nelsestuen of the Pecatonica Lutheran Parish will officiate. Burial will be in the Hollandale Cemetery. Friends may call Wednesday, March 11, 2009 from 4:00 until 8:00 PM at the Hollandale Lutheran Church in Hollandale. The Saether Funeral Home in Blanchardville is assisting the family. The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the staff at Upland Hills Nursing and Rehab.