Bernice Paulma Gorder

PETERSON, MINN. Bernice Gorder, 91 of Owatonna, MN; formerly of Peterson, MN died Wednesday, June 1, 2005 at Owatonna Hospital. Bernice Palma Halvorson, the first of three children, was born October 18, 1913 in Rugby, North Dakota to Benny and Dagny (Larson) Halvorson. Bernice moved to Peterson, MN, the home of her mother's sister Esther Haslerud where she was employed as a home aid/caretaker in the Lela and Kelly Paulson family in Peterson. It was there she met her husband George Gorder and they were married on June 13, 1936 at the home of George's sister, Christine and Rudolph Boyum in rural Peterson. While a homemaker most of her life, she was employed for several years as a cook for the Peterson Schools and later worked at Rush Products in Rushford, MN. She was a member of the Grace Lutheran Church and their Ladies Aide and the Peterson Garden Club, and a Bandmother. She enjoyed gardening, crocheting, and taking care of her grandchildren. Survivors include; two sons, Bennett (Mary) Gorder of Stewartville, MN., Don (Theresa) Gorder of Quincy, IL.; one daughter, Betty (Brian) Johnson of Owatonna, MN.; twelve grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren; a daughter in-law Lynda Gorder, Peterson, MN. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one son, David, one sister, Ethel, and one brother, Floyd. Funeral Service will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 6, at Grace Lutheran Church in Peterson. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at the East Grace Cemetery. Friends and family may leave a memory at hofffuneralhome.com.