Bernice Olivia Thompson

HoustonBernice Olivia Thompson, 87 of Houston, died Monday, March 10, 2014 at Valley View Healthcare and Rehab in Houston.Bernice was born May 26, 1926 near Oak Ridge to Ole and Bertha (Bergufson) Odegaarden. She was baptized and confirmed at the Stone Church. During the war, Bernice and her sister Julia worked together in the laundry department at Grandview Hospital in La Crosse. She later worked for the Argus Camera, Control Data both in Spring Grove and at Leidell's Apple Orchard in La Crescent. Bernice was united in marriage to Melvin Thompson on June 5, 1947. Together, they enjoyed traveling to the west coast, Rocky Mountains, and Nebraska. Bernice enjoyed gardening, sewing baking and spending time with her family. She is survived by her children, Merlyn (Judy) Thompson of Sartell, LeRoy Thompson of Houston, and Joanne (Jeff) Hackbarth of Ridgeway; grandchildren, Ernie Bergen, Mike Bergen, Chris Tarvestad, David Thompson, Daniel (Katie) Hackbarth, Jennifer Hackbarth, Katie (Jesse) Meyer, and Jason Hackbarth; 11 great-grandchildren and one more due March 27th; sister, Julia Welke of Hokah; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family. Bernice was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Melvin in 1999; brothers, Tollef Odegaarden, Helmer Odegaarden, Burns Odegaarden and Arnold Odegaarden; brother-in-laws, Lloyd Welke and Norman Thompson; sister-in-laws, Myrtle Odegaarden, Thressa Thompson and an infant sister.The family would like to express their warmest gratitude to the staff at Valley View Healthcare in Houston for the great care Bernice received.Memorials may be directed to Valley View Healthcare and Rehab or the Minnesota-North Dakota chapter of the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org/mnnd).Funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, March 15, 2014 at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Houston with visitation one hour prior. Reverend Lane Zaffke will officiate. Burial will follow at the Stone Church Cemetery.Please share a memory of Bernice with her family and view her video tribute when it becomes available online at www.hofffuneral.com.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/474149