Bernice M. Oian

Bernice M. Oian, 89, died Saturday, November 14, 2009, at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in LaCrosse, WI. Bernice was born on August 5, 1920, in Fillmore County , MN , to Arnold and Cora (Glenna) Erickson. On July 13, 1940 she married Orle L. Oian in Minneapolis , MN . Together they worked and raised their children on their farm in rural Peterson, MN. She was a member of Rushford Lutheran Church . She also attended Highland Prairie Church and participated in its ladies auxiliaries. Bernice enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening, baking and cooking, and making jams and jellies. For leisure she liked playing cards, music and dancing, and being with her family. She enjoyed having friends and family stop over for coffee and to visit. On Saturday, November 14 at 5:30 PM Bernice retired from her lifetime passion of being a mother and homemaker. Survivors include her seven children: Patricia Flores of Woodbury, MN; Charles (Ruby) Oian of Winona, MN; Steven (Judy) Oian of Rushford, MN; Michael (Monica Harrell) Oian of Peterson, MN; Susan (Carl) Holger of Rushford, MN; Debbra (Patrick) Marcotte of Hutchinson, MN; Brenda (Gary) Oian Vust of Eagle Lake, MN; nineteen grandchildren: Randall (Annette) Ruud of Oakdale, MN; Brian (Lisa) Ruud of Woodbury, MN; Cindy Peterson of Winona, MN; Camilla (Mark) Larson of Eau Claire, WI; Cristin (Jeff) Maschka of Chanhassen, MN; Jeffrey (Amy) Oian of Grand Meadow, MN; Jennifer Oian of Apple Valley, MN; Steven (Toni) Oian of Rushford, MN; Tricia (James Haedtke) Oian of Apple Valley, MN; Tina Oian of Rochester, MN; Ryan (Kristin O'Connor) Oian of Rushford, MN; Jonathan (Sara Grover) Holger of Preston, MN; Joseph Holger of LaCrosse, WI; Jaclyn Holger of Rushford, MN; Benjamin, Christina, and Brendan Marcotte of Hutchinson, MN; Regan and Nadia Oian Vust of Eagle Lake, MN; eighteen great-grandchildren: Robert and Michael Ruud; Chloe, Taylor, Lainey, Hayley, Olivia and Brian Ruud; Cassandra Guidinger; Derek and Lauren Larson; Gabrielle, Ryan and William Maschka; Isabelle Oian; Allison, Megan and Isaac Oian; and brother, Conrad Erickson of Whalen, MN; and many other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Orle L. Oian; granddaughter, Natasha Oian Vust; sisters, Delia, Gilma and Marian; and brothers, Alvin and Merlin. Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 20th at 2:00pm at Rushford Lutheran Church with the Reverend Roger Michaelson officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friend may call at Hoff Funeral Homes - Rushford Chapel on Thursday from 5-7:00pm and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. The family suggests memorials may be directed to Rushford Lutheran Church Sunday School.Please share a memory of Bernice with her family, sign her online guestbook or view her video tribute when it becomes available online at: www.hofffuneral.com
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/101650