Bernice Christina Block, 85, of Remsen, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016, at Happy Siesta Care Center in Remsen, IA.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Remsen, IA with Rev. William McCarthy officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Remsen, IA. Visitation will be any time after 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016. There will be a parish rosary at 5 p.m. and a vigil prayer service at 7 p.m. all at Fisch Funeral Home & Monument in Remsen.
Bernice was born on January 5, 1931, in Hospers, Iowa, to Clemens and Mathilda (Gloden) Schmit. She attended St. Anthony’s School in Hospers.
She was united in marriage to Oscar D. Block on January 31, 1950, in Hospers. They farmed in Hospers until 1963, when they moved to a farm in Remsen, IA. She will be remembered as a devoted homemaker and mother to their nine children. She was an excellent cook, for her own family and later preparing meals at Happy Siesta and Remsen Senior Center. Bernice enjoyed children, especially babies. She was quick-witted and a good card player. She was a Cub Scout Leader and a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and church guild.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 66 years, Oscar, nine children, Julie Hoffman of Weston, MO; Charles (Mary) of Ames, IA; Patricia (Steve) Herbster of Topeka, KS; Phyllis (Matt) Even of Algona, IA; Ronald (Maritza) of Mt. Lebanon, PA; Sharon (Ron) Ragsdale of Waverly, IA; Rosalie (Paul) Ruba of Manchester, IA; Daniel (Rochelle) of Remsen; Thomas (Amy) of Panora, IA; 29 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. She is also survived by siblings Jerry Den Hartog, Harold (Bea) Schmit, and Sylvester Schmit, all of Hospers, Cyril (Clarice) Schmit of Remsen, and Lucy DeRoos, Algona.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Eleanor, in childhood, a son-in-law, Jim Hoffman, and a grandson, Brian Hoffman.
Casket bearers will be Charles, Ronald, Daniel and Thomas Block, Greg Hoffman and Steven Block.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Bernice’s honor may be made to Remsen St. Mary’s Church.
The family would like to thank the staff at Happy Siesta, Hospice of Siouxland, and Bavarian Meadows for their care. We appreciate everything you have done for us.