Bernice Rosalia Tollenaere
June 9, 1921 — March 16, 2014
Bernice Rosalia Tollenaere was born June 9, 1921 in Chicago, Illinois the daughter of Fred and Lena (Prinz) Biller.
She graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Chicago and then worked for Bell Telephone. On January 4, 1944 Bernice was united in marriage to Albert Tollenaere at St. Odillo’s Catholic Church in Berwyn, Illinois. She and Albert made their home in Oak Park, Illinois for most of their married life. Bernice was a member of the Women’s Chorus in Oak Park and a Campfire leader for several years. On April 1, 1979 Albert passed away. Bernice stayed in Oak Park until moving to Knoxville, Iowa in 1992. In Knoxville, Bernice became an active member of St. Anthony Catholic Church. She enjoyed serving the community of Knoxville by volunteering in many local organizations. Bernice found Knoxville to be a very welcoming home in her later years. In her spare time, she enjoyed quilting, knitting and reading. She also loved to travel with family and friends.
Bernice passed away on Sunday, March 16, 2014 at the Knoxville Area Community Hospital at the age of 92 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Albert; brother, George Biller and her sister, Ruth Svoboda.
She is survived by her children: Pauline (Tom) Petterson of Tigard, OR; Claudette (Harold) Sanderson of Elmhurst, IL; Peter (Kathy) Tollenaere of Fairfield, IA and Patty (Don) Beebout of Chariton, IA; 10 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren and many other family members and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial
St. Anthony Catholic Church – Knoxville, Iowa
Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at 11:00 a.m.
Rev. Stephen P. Ebel, Celebrant
Jim Brees & Kurt Sanderson, readers
Musical Selections
Mary Burke, Music Director
“Be Not Afraid” “You are Mine”
“Mother Beloved” – Katie Davis, soloist
“Amazing Grace”
Casket Bearers
Kurt Sanderson Aaron Beebout
Eric Petterson Kyle Dyer
Jim Brees
Interment
Queen of Heaven Cemetery – Hillside, Illinois
Thursday, March 20, 2014 at 11:00 a.m.
Deacon Tony Statafore, Celebrant
Harry Sanderson, reader
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to H.C.I. Care Services,
St. Anthony Catholic Church or to the Knoxville Public Library.
The family invites relatives and friends to a lunch in
St. Anthony Church Hall immediately following the Mass.
She graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Chicago and then worked for Bell Telephone. On January 4, 1944 Bernice was united in marriage to Albert Tollenaere at St. Odillo’s Catholic Church in Berwyn, Illinois. She and Albert made their home in Oak Park, Illinois for most of their married life. Bernice was a member of the Women’s Chorus in Oak Park and a Campfire leader for several years. On April 1, 1979 Albert passed away. Bernice stayed in Oak Park until moving to Knoxville, Iowa in 1992. In Knoxville, Bernice became an active member of St. Anthony Catholic Church. She enjoyed serving the community of Knoxville by volunteering in many local organizations. Bernice found Knoxville to be a very welcoming home in her later years. In her spare time, she enjoyed quilting, knitting and reading. She also loved to travel with family and friends.
Bernice passed away on Sunday, March 16, 2014 at the Knoxville Area Community Hospital at the age of 92 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Albert; brother, George Biller and her sister, Ruth Svoboda.
She is survived by her children: Pauline (Tom) Petterson of Tigard, OR; Claudette (Harold) Sanderson of Elmhurst, IL; Peter (Kathy) Tollenaere of Fairfield, IA and Patty (Don) Beebout of Chariton, IA; 10 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren and many other family members and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial
St. Anthony Catholic Church – Knoxville, Iowa
Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at 11:00 a.m.
Rev. Stephen P. Ebel, Celebrant
Jim Brees & Kurt Sanderson, readers
Musical Selections
Mary Burke, Music Director
“Be Not Afraid” “You are Mine”
“Mother Beloved” – Katie Davis, soloist
“Amazing Grace”
Casket Bearers
Kurt Sanderson Aaron Beebout
Eric Petterson Kyle Dyer
Jim Brees
Interment
Queen of Heaven Cemetery – Hillside, Illinois
Thursday, March 20, 2014 at 11:00 a.m.
Deacon Tony Statafore, Celebrant
Harry Sanderson, reader
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to H.C.I. Care Services,
St. Anthony Catholic Church or to the Knoxville Public Library.
The family invites relatives and friends to a lunch in
St. Anthony Church Hall immediately following the Mass.
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