Bernice Kalmes

With just the right amount of sweet and spunk, Bernice Kalmes was a genuine blessing in the lives of all who were within her reach. She had a vibrant personality, and one was always sure to know it if she was in the room. Bernice was the sort of person who didn't take any guff from anyone, which made her the perfect person to raise the 11 children she shared with the love of her life. Life was not without times of trial for Bernice, but she was filled with a quiet strength and a graceful courage that is to be admired. With a life that spanned nearly a century, she treasured each day she was given, filling her daily journey with love, family, and laughter. Life will certainly never be the same without her here, but she will never be forgotten. Daily life in America during the early part of the 20th century was drastically different from the life we know and love in America today. Children were more commonly found in the workforce than they were in schools, and of those who did attend school less than 10 percent went on to graduate. Although gasoline cars were becoming more popular than other types of cars, it wasn't until Henry Ford's conveyer belt assembly line implementation in 1913 or 1914 that cars started to become massed produced, making them more affordable for the average person. It was during this time of discovery that a young couple from Wilson, Minnesota, was filled with great joy to announce the birth of their baby girl on October 27, 1914. Bernice was the oldest of five children born to her parents, Louis and Regina (Ries) Stoltz, and she was raised in the family home alongside her sisters, Magdalene and Irene, and her brothers, Isidore and Francis. The Stoltz family was given a tough pill to swallow with the death of her father when Bernice was only seven years old just. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Rollingstone where she was a student at local schools. She graduated from Holy Trinity High School in Rollingstone in 1932. Bernice continued her education at the Winona Business School, and with her schooling behind her she entered the workforce during the trying days of the Great Depression that covered our nation and much of the world throughout the 1930s and beyond.Life was forever changed for Bernice when she met the young man who forever held the key to her heart. His name was Raymond "Skip" Kalmes, and they met at a dance, which was a favorite pastime of Bernice's when she was a young woman as she frequented dances at the Gaymor, in Wilson, and at Wyatville. She couldn't get enough of watching that extremely handsome centerfield at Rollingstone baseball games. With a desire to establish a life together the couple was united in marriage on June 7, 1939. Together they began farming in Oak Ridge, soon purchasing a farm on what many came to know as "Kalmes Hill" in Rollingstone. It was there that Bernice and Skip welcomed 11 children into their hearts and home including Dennis, Renee, Becky, Ronald, Sheri, Charlene, Mark, Maribeth, Julie, Jana, and Phil. Perfect bookends to the Kalmes family, Dennis and Phil shared the same birthday, 17 years apart. In 1962, Bernice and Skip moved to Altura with their family where they seamlessly melded into their community. She was deeply saddened with the death of the love of her life on July 17, 1973.Throughout her life Bernice was one to work hard at whatever she was doing. During her younger years she worked at Mays Photo in Winona, and from 1965 through 1987 she worked at Hubbard Foods in Altura where they processed turkey. When she did have free time, Bernice enjoyed keeping busy with word puzzles. For several years she was also a faithful member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Altura. All who knew Bernice would agree that to know her was to love her. Nothing ever got past her as she was known for saying, "You're gonna get a lickin,'" while coming at people with a spoon while another favorite saying was, "Who made you boss?" Bernice was outgoing and rarely afraid to speak her mind, and much to the dismay of her daughters she loved to tease the guys - including their boyfriends! In fact, when one of her daughter's boyfriends said that he wanted to be a lawyer, Bernice responded that there could never be a lawyer in the family, never missing a beat. Since she had a thing for Perry Como, she often said, "He can put his shoes under my bed anytime." When asked if she was cold Bernice asked, "What are you going to do about it?" She never slowed down either since while at Lewiston Villa she picked on the activities director by hitting him with her cane! Family was a cornerstone in Bernice's life, and she looked forward to Thanksgiving every year when her they rented the Altura Community Center. For as long as she was able she loved traveling, especially to Hawaii.With an unwavering faith and unconditional love at the helm, Beatrice Kalmes was deeply devoted to the family she treasured. She had a generous spirit and gave back to her community through her volunteer work at the local elementary school. Bernice was cherished for her never-ending sense of humor and loved spending time with her family more than anything else on this side of heaven. The memories she leaves behind will remain forever near and dear to the hearts of her loved ones. Bernice will be deeply missed. Bernice Eva Kalmes died on August 22, 2013. Bernice's family includes her eleven children: Dennis (Marlyce) Kalmes of Rosemount, Renee (John) Greden of Ann Arbor MI, Becky Scherbring of Altura, Ronald (Sharon) Kalmes of St. Paul, Sheri (Jim) Schell of Rollingstone, Charlene (Gary) Spencer of Rollingstone, Mark Kalmes of Winona, Maribeth (Terry) Garteski of Saratoga, Julie (Daniel) Schneider of Goodview, Jana(Rich) Ruhoff of Altura, and Phil (Peggy) Kalmes of Altura; thirty grandchildren; forty great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; sister: Irene (Bob) Schreiber of Rochester MN; and many cousins, nephews and nieces. Bernice was preceded in death by her brothers: Isidore Stoltz and Francis (Mary) Stoltz and her sister Magdalene Butlin. A funeral mass and celebration of her extraordinary life will be held at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Rollingstone, Tuesday, August 27, 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be at the church on Monday, August 26, 4-8 p.m. and Tuesday one hour before mass. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or sign the online guestbook. 'I Know a women of strength, of beauty. I have watched her for years. She is my mother.'
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/421461