Bernadette Wills

Obituary

Bernadette (Bernice) Emma Wills was born on September 26, 1927, in New Ulm, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Anton and Mary (Huelskamp) Rubie. Bernadette was baptized as an infant at the Church of St. George and was confirmed in her faith as a youth. She received her education in St. George until the eighth grade.

On January 14, 1948, Bernadette was united in marriage to Herbert Wills in St. Peter, Minnesota. They made their home in Sibley Township where they farmed and were blessed with ten children. Bernice lived the life of a busy farmwife and homemaker. After the children left home, she worked a few part-time jobs, and was known as the “pie maker” at the R & R Café in Gaylord. In 1993, Bernice and Herb moved to Gaylord where they lived until 2011. They had shared 64 years of marriage when Herb passed away on December 3, 2012.

Bernadette was a member of Norwegian Grove Lutheran Church, rural Gaylord. She had been an active member of the Ladies Aide, and enjoyed all of the church activities she could participate in.

Bernadette enjoyed baking, gardening, cleaning, and playing cards with friends. She liked to relax while watching John Deere Bandwagon and Wheel of Fortune. She enjoyed traveling to various places, especially Branson, Missouri. She cherished the time she spent with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Bernadette passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Wednesday, April 11, 2018, at the Glencoe Regional Health Services-Long Term Care in Glencoe at the age of 90 years. Blessed be her memory.

Bernadette is survived by her:
Children,          Gary Wills and his wife, Marilyn of Gaylord, MN,
                        Glenn Wills and his wife, Marcia of Sauk Centre, MN,
                        Wayne Wills and his wife, Cathy of Goodyear, AZ,
                        Randy Wills and his wife, Cheryl of Norwood-Young America, MN,
                        Connie Teply of Glencoe, MN,
                        Ronald Wills of Lutsen, MN,
                        Lori Lundeen and her husband, Doug of Cokato, MN, and
                        Nancy Grabow and her husband, Shaun of Gaylord, MN;
20 Grandchildren;
16 Great-Grandchildren;
Nieces, Nephews, other relatives and friends.

Bernadette was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert; Parents, Anton and Mary Rubie; Infant Daughter; Son-In-Law, Jim Teply; Daughter, Eileen Wills; Brothers, Sister, and Brothers-In-Law and Sisters-In-Law.