June 2, 1915 - August 31, 2017

Bernice Elizabeth (Larson) Palmer, age 102, died peacefully on August 31, 2017 at Country Terrace Assisted Living in Spooner, WI.

Bernice was born June 2, 1915 in Barronett, WI to Edward and Martha (Grensing) Larson.   She was united in marriage to Joseph Nicholas Palmer on July 24, 1941. 

Bernice attended school in Barronett, WI through 8th grade.  She then went on to manage the family farm until her marriage.  Later in life she completed 12th grade with a GED.

Bernice and Joe lived the majority of their married life in Spooner, WI. Joe brought six children into the marriage and together Bernice and Joe had six children. 

 A loving mother and homemaker, Bernice dedicated her life to providing for her family.  She was a skillful card player and enjoyed winning at Skip-Bo and UNO.  She could still win handily at age 99.

Bernice was always willing to help others and never a person to speak unkind words.  She believed that if you didn’t have something nice to say you shouldn’t say anything at all.

Bernice was the daughter of a Pentecostal minister.  She read her Bible daily and lived her life devoted to God’s word.  She remained actively involved in Spooner’s Pentecostal Church and enjoyed her time with church family.

Preceding Bernice in death were parents Edward and Martha Larson, husband Joe  Palmer, daughter Judy Levens, son-in-law Dennis O’Donahoe, step-children Joe, Lloyd & Don, Evelyn and Mary, brothers Stephen and Cephas Larson and sisters Violet Busjahn and Lilly Malles.

Bernice is survived by daughters Karen Gillis, Spooner, WI, Claire (Steve) Hove, Spooner, WI, Richard (Connie) Palmer, Newton, IA, Rosemary  O’Donahoe, Eau Claire, WI and Rita (Dean) Janaky, Colorado Springs, CO; step-daughter Laura VanGuilder, Spooner, sisters, Ethel Mortensen, Leesville, LA, Inez Fye, Spooner, WI and Mae Sather, Willmar, MN; 19 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Bernice’s Life will take place at the First United Pentecostal Church, 337 Greenwood Avenue, Spooner, WI  on September 23. 2017 at 1 p.m.

Last Update: Dec 16, 2018 5:42 pm CST