Bernice Torkelson 86, of Oklee, MN died on Saturday, April 2, 2011 at her home in Oklee, MN.

Celebration of life will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at 11:30 am at Oak Park Lutheran Church rural Oklee with Reverend Joseph Abrahamson Officiating. Burial will be held in the Clearwater Lutheran Church Cemetery at a later date.

Visitation will be held on Saturday one hour prior to the services at the church.

Bernice Margery Nikkola was born December 12, 1924 at Kettle River, MN daughter of the late Julius and Ida (Peterson) Nikkola. She was raised and attended school near Kettle River, MN, graduating from Moose Lake High School in 1943. She moved to Seattle, WA and worked for Boeing during the war. She returned to Duluth where she worked for a short time.

On April 24, 1948 she was united in marriage to Nere Torkelson in Kettle River. The couple purchased a farm Northeast of Oklee, MN where they lived and raised their daughters. Nere passed away September 13, 1977, Bernice continued to live on the farm until moving into Oklee in 1979 where she was currently residing.

While in Duluth she loved to watch the ships, after she moved to Oklee Bernice taught Sunday school, enjoyed riding her bike, walking up town, she was an animal lover who liked taking care of peoples dogs and cats, most of all she enjoyed the time spent with her grandkids and great-grandkids, she also enjoyed reading, music and gardening. She was active in the ladies aid and was the bingo caller at the senior site, liked the bible study group, the freebies at the fair and was named outstanding senior citizen.

Bernice is survived by her two daughters Bonnie (Alden) Stafford of Loveland, CO and Donna Waldal of Bemidji, MN. Four grandchildren Michelle (John) Dorwart of Roseau, MN, Carol Torkelson of Loveland, CO, Brian Reinbold of Loveland, CO and Leah (Mac) Woodford of Bemidji, MN and great grandchildren Tanesha, Demi, Faith, Shaylie, Chase, Matthew and Mason. Brother Ron (Velma) Nikkola of Cokato, MN and Sister Beverly Sperl of Georgia along with several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Husband Nere, Brother Milton Nikkola, infant great grandchild and step father Alfred Hendrickson.



ORGANIST: Laura Vettleson
SOLOIST: Donna Fossum
SELECTIONS: One Day At A Time and recorded selection You Raise Me Up
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: What a Friend We have In Jesus, and How Great Thou Art