The Fergus Falls Daily Journal

Bernice Westerberg, died Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012 at Trinity-Holly in Nampa, Idaho.instruments

Bernice was born Oct. 14, 1916 at Fergus Falls, the youngest of five children of Will and Clara Loomer. She was raised on a farm near Fergus Falls.

As her brothers were older, she was her dad’s “right-hand-man.” She graduated from high school at age 16 and trained for one year at the State Teachers Training School. She taught school for two years in a one-room school house, often in 30-below weather.

She was married to Paul Westerberg in 1938, and worked side-by-side farming with him until 1958, when they purchased the Coast-To-Coast Store in Caldwell on Main Street.

Many weekends, when the doors were locked at the store, she and Paul were off to fish awhile. They spent many weekends at CJ Strike Dam with Paul fishing and mom canning fish inside the camper.

They loved square dancing and loved life and friends. Her children, David, Barbara and LuAnn were born in Minnesota.

After retiring from the business world of hardware, she worked at Idaho First National Bank for 10 years, seeing many friends daily at the drive-in teller window. She loved the close bond with her church.

For many years, she did their “banking” every Monday morning. In her retirement, she traveled to many places in the world to see LuAnn and her family. She had a large circle of friends, enjoyed bowling, playing pool, playing cards and bingo.

Until one week ago, she rose early every morning to say her prayers and do the jumble puzzle in the Idaho Press-Tribune.

Bernice is survived by her children, David (Bonnie) of Vale, Ore., Barbara (Ed) Frisbie of Melba, and LuAnn Lyon and Bill of Givens Hot Springs; grandchildren, Steven (Dorothea ) Westerberg of Boise, Tim (Teri) Westerberg of Boise, Theresa (Casey) Meiwald of Vale, Ore., Mark Frisbie of Melba, Katie Frisbie Stimpson of Melba, Paul (Amy) Lyon of Houston, Texas, Mathew (Christina) Lyon of Las Vegas, Nev.; 11 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her siblings; her loving husband, Paul; and a granddaughter, Jill Frisbie.

Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Friday, at Caldwell United Methodist Church.

Memorials in her memory are suggested to her church and directed to the Ann Van Slyke fund at the church.

Condolences may be sent online at www.flahifffuneralchapel.com