Bernice Erna Ida Wolter

Obituary

Bernice Erna Ida (Dreier) Wolter was born on July 7, 1922, in Gibbon, Minnesota.  She was the daughter of William and Magdalina Helen (Dallmann) Dreier.  Bernice was baptized as an infant on July 23, 1922, by Rev. C.D. Seltz at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Moltke Township, Sibley County, Minnesota.  On July 24, 2022, Bernice and her son Dennis, visited St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Moltke Township to celebrate her 100th baptism anniversary!   In 1934, she moved with her parents to Glencoe, Minnesota, and continued her Christian education at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glencoe.  Her confirmation verse was Psalm 27:1 – “The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?”

On June 6, 1948, Bernice was united in marriage to Orville Wolter by Rev. Edgar Streufert at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glencoe.  Bernice and Orville made their home in Glencoe, Minnesota.  Their marriage was blessed with six children, Shirley, Dennis, Doris, Dale, Karen, and Lowell.  Bernice and Orville shared 50 years of marriage and were privileged to celebrate their golden anniversary on June 6, 1998.  Her husband, Orville, passed away on March 25, 1999. 

In addition to being a loving wife, mother, and homemaker, Bernice farmed with her husband for 12 years.  In 1960, Orville accepted the position of custodian for First Evangelical Lutheran Church and School and Bernice worked side by side with him.  She also worked at the Star Motel for 25 years, at the Green Giant cafeteria in Glencoe, and at Hands Inc. in Winthrop, Minnesota.  As her ministry to First Evangelical Lutheran Church, she proudly served on the altar guild and LWML and faithfully attended Tuesday morning Bible Study with Pastor Ron Mathison.   

At age 94, she moved from her home to Glenfields Living with Care. Active and independent until the end, she maintained her routine daily…eating breakfast, doing her exercises, and attending all Glenfield events and activities, especially loving bingo, puzzles, music, active games, and sheepshead. She even assisted in making her famous potato salad for the neighborhood picnic just prior to her 101st birthday.  Many friendships were developed with both residents and staff during her time at Glenfields.  She will be dearly missed by all.

Bernice cherished the time she spent with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family, friends, and her beloved dog, Bailey. She enjoyed gardening, yard work, needlework, playing cards, and dancing. Taking lessons and learning to polka, waltz, and schottische was an important and gratifying achievement for Bernice. Once she learned to dance, she happily joined Orville out on that dance floor!  Dancing brought life-long enjoyment to Bernice; and, despite any kind of weather, Monday evenings meant a trip to Mankato for “Bandwagon.” Bernice, the last to survive of her family as well as Orville’s family, always with a smile on her face, felt so blessed to live such a long, beautiful life. 

Bernice’s children would like to thank both Mom and Dad for bringing them up in the true faith through baptism and confirmation; and, for being a wonderful cook and keeping all of their bellies full.

Bernice passed away on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at GlenFields Living With Care in Glencoe, Minnesota, at the age of 101 years. Blessed be her memory.

Bernice is survived by her
Children,  Dennis Wolter of Glencoe, MN,
                 Doris Lieske and her husband, Earl, of Mission, TX,
                 Dale Wolter and his wife, Sharon, of Monroe, NC,
                 Karen Boettcher and her life partner, Bruce Ehlers, of Henderson, MN,
                 Lowell Wolter of Fridley, MN;
Son-In-Law, Larry Carlson and his wife, Vickie, of Elk River, MN;
Grandchildren,  Brent Carlson and his wife, Carrie,
                          Mark Carlson and his wife, Michele,
                          Matthew Carlson and his wife, Kari,
                          Michael Wolter and his wife, Khalidah,
                          Kristin Jasken and her husband, Adam,
                          Jessica Febus and her husband, Gabriel,
                          Michelle Bergstad and her husband, Craig,
                          Paul Boettcher;
Great-Grandchildren, Noah Carlson, Ellie Carlson, Mason Tesch, James Bergstad, Gavin Bergstad, Kayla Stowell, Samantha Febus, Blake Carlson, Grayson Carlson, Alexandra Carlson, Kayden Wolter;
Step-Great-Grandchildren, Ashley Jasken, Emily Jasken, Candace Ryan, Madisyn Febus;
God-daughter, Diane (Dreier) Rasmussen;
Ringbearer and Flower Girl from Bernice and Orville’s wedding, Don Wroge, Geraldine Niebuhr;
Many Nephews and Nieces, other relatives, and numerous friends.

Bernice is preceded in death by her Parents, William and Magdalina Helen Dreier; Husband, Orville Wolter; Daughter, Shirley Carlson; Infant Brother, Friederbert Dreier;  Brothers and Sisters-in-law, Howard Dreier and his wife, Dolores, Gordon Dreier and his wife, Alice, Raymond Dreier, Marianne Dreier; Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, J.P and Margaretha Wolter; Brothers-in-law and Sisters-in-law, Raymond and Ruth Wolter, Erwin and Laverna Miller, Maynard and Elizabeth Wolter, Melvin and LaVerna Wolter, Ardell, and Erna Wolter.