Bernice Bohnenstingl

Bernice Doll Wieser Bohnenstingl, 99, Wheaton, MN, passed away Sunday, January 8, 2023, at the Traverse Care Center in Wheaton.

Visitation will be Friday, January 13, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. followed by the Funeral Service at 2:00 p.m. at the Ave Maria Catholic Church in Wheaton officiated by Fr. John Paul Knopik and Fr. Stan Wieser. Music will be provided by organist Cindy Sanasack vocalists Brian Hoffman and Casey Alsaker; and accompanist Ruby Larsen.  Urn bearers will be Bernice's grandchildren - Mike Wieser, Matt Wieser, Shawn Wieser, Michelle Sachau, Bill Alsaker, Casey Alsaker, and Leah Schauer.

The Funeral Service will be livestreamed on the Eggers Funeral Home Facebook page.

Burial will be in the Spring with a Graveside Memorial Service on April 22 at the Wildwood Cemetery, Wheaton.

Bernice Elizabeth was born January 22, 1923, to Pat and Christine (Schmitz) Doll, in Dumont, Mn. When she was 16 years old, her mom died, leaving her the oldest child living at home.  She took care of her younger siblings, baking eight loaves of bread every other day and doing household tasks while trying to take care of her younger siblings. The youngest sibling was a baby.  This was difficult and eventually the siblings were split up and went to live with other relatives.  She always regretted not being able to hold them all together.  She always tried to help and support her siblings throughout the rest of her life.  Her siblings and family were very important to her.

On November 20, 1946, Bernice happily married Gerhard Wieser.  They had two children, Tom and Don.  In 1950, Jerry was killed in a construction accident, leaving behind two very small children.  Bernice then worked as a waitress at LeRita's to help pay the bills.  She missed Jerry the rest of her life.

On January 5, 1963, Bernice married Bob Bohnenstingl.  Susie was born later that year.  Together Bob and Bernice ran the Hotel Café in Wheaton, serving many delicious meals.  In 1971 they moved from the café to LeRita's steak house on the river.  They ran that only a few months until Bob was killed in a car accident on July 27, 1971.

Over the years, Bernice worked as the school noon hour playground supervisor, (which she really enjoyed), cleaning staff at the Wheaton Motel, an aide at Wheaton High School, and a waitress at Dale's Steak House.

She loved watching the Twins and Timberwolves on TV.  You were not allowed to talk during the games and distract her.  One summer, Tom took her to a Twins game which she enjoyed!

She was always active at church, and in later years at the Senior Citizen Center.  All her life she loved dancing and a good party.  She had a lot of fun with friends and relatives and attended many social gatherings.  Lots of fun, mayhem, and laughter took place when she got together with friends, siblings, and relatives.

Bernice entered the Rosholt Nursing Home in November of 2009, then moved to the Traverse Care Center in Wheaton on February 22, 2010, where she very happily lived out the rest of her life.  She gave the staff a run for their money!  Her strong will and sassiness were mixed blessings at times but might be the reason for her long life.

She loved watching for squirrels out the Care Center windows.  When she spied one, she shouted, "SQUIRREL!" and it could be heard all the way down the hall.

Throughout life, she had some bad times and some good times.  She always said, "Que sera, sera. Whatever will be, will be."  She loved her many relatives.  She was social and talkative and always interested in a good visit or fun event.

Bernice was preceded in death by her husband, Gerhard Wieser and husband Robert Bohnenstingl; parents Pat and Christine Doll; siblings Lucille, Florentine, Cletus, Mae, Dolly, Herbert, Kelly, Annie, Margaret, and Francis.

She is survived by her children Tom (Julie) Wieser, Don Wieser, and Susan (Curt) Alsaker; grandchildren Shawn Wieser, Michelle Sachau, Mike Wieser, Matt Wieser, Bill Alsaker, Casey Alsaker, and Leah Schauer; great-grandchildren Kristen Wieser Gorney, Kira Wieser, Kendra Wieser, Cole Wieser, Vanessa Wieser, Nick Sachau, and Drew Sachau; great-great-grandson Aiden Wieser; siblings Joan Doll Canady and Ted Doll; and in-laws, Donna Doll, Jerry Jipson, Cy and Lorraine Wieser, and Mickey Schuster.