Bernice Wagner

Bernice Wagner, 92, of Middle River, MN passed away on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 at Life Care Greenbush Manor in Greenbush, MN surrounded by her loving family.

Funeral Service for Bernice will be held at1:00 PM Wednesday July 28, 2021 at Nazareth Lutheran Church, Holt, MN with Rev Cathie Rhodes officiating. Burial was at German Evangelical Cemetery, Rural Middle River, MN.

Bernice Lorraine Sostad was born February 2, 1928 at her home near Holt, MN daughter of Christ and Gertrude (Jasper) Sostad. She was raised near Holt and was baptized and confirmed at Ringbo Church. She attended school at Ringbo Country School and one year at Holt, MN.

On Jun 14, 1944 she was united in marriage to John Albert Wagner. To this union 8 children were born Lois, LeRoy, Roger, Valerie, Karen, Sandra, Wayne and Bruce. The couple lived and farmed in the Middle River area their entire lives. Bernice worked in the potato fields for a short time, then worked at Arctic Cat in the sewing department in Thief River Falls and Karlstad. Bernice also worked side by side with her husband and sons on the family farm.

Bernice always had large gardens, enjoyed sewing, embroidering and quilting. She loved to go ice fishing, 4-wheeling and snowmobiling. She enjoyed cooking, baking, and lefsa making. Bernice enjoyed playing cards and shaking dice with anyone that would come to visit. Spending time visiting with the friends and neighbors at the casino. She helped making wreaths with her granddaughter Trina.

Bernice is survived by her children Lois Barth of Greenbush, MN, Valerie (Larry) Nesteby of Greenbush, MN, Karen (Norm) Opdahl of Middle River, MN, Sandra Olson of Thief River Falls, MN and Bruce Wagner of Greenbush, MN; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren; daughters-in-law Patty Wagner of Newfolden, MN, Clarine Wagner of Red Lake, MN; brother Dale Sostad of Holdrege, NE; brother-in-law Gene Peterson of Greenbush, MN(formerly of Gatzke); numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Bernice is preceded in death by her father Christ and stepmother Helen and mother Gertrude and step-father Stanley, husband John, sons LeRoy, Roger and Wayne, son-in-law Dave Barth, granddaughter Jessica Nesteby, grandson Michael Hamlin, sisters Dorothy Grenead, Hazel Baldwin, Carolyn Pollard; infant brother Kenny Sostad.

Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com