Bernice Sumner

Bernice M. Sumner, age 93 of Cottage Grove, passed away on May 9, 2018.

Memorial service will be 7:00 pm, Thursday, May 17, 2018 at Kok Funeral Home, 7676 -80th Street S., Cottage Grove with visitation one hour prior.  Interment Ft. Snelling National Cemetery at a later date.

Bernice Martha Sumner was born December 30, 1924 in Madison, Minnesota to Everett and Martha (Weishaar) Smith.  She grew up in Bellingham, Minnesota and her dad operated the local filling station.  After her graduation in 1942 she worked at the bank as a teller for a few years.  Bernice started dating Edgar Sumner after returning from his military service and they were united in marriage on December 30, 1945.  They made their home in Bellingham where they started a family and enjoyed life.  She liked to crochet, bake and play cards.  In the mid 1950’s they moved to St. Paul where Edgar took a job at the post office.  They lived in Newport for a several years before coming to Cottage Grove in 1976.

Through the years, they hosted many family Christmas events at their home and always enjoyed having everyone together.  She loved watching her children grow up and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Bernice is survived by her children Scott, Mary (Mark) Simone; son-in-law Mark Fischbach; 10 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren and one sister Virginia Berg.  She is preceded in death by her husband Edgar; daughter Jane Fischbach; daughter-in-law Diane; granddaughter Traci and sisters Marie Morken and Ellen Smart.