Bernice Mildred Noreen, age 97, of Kenosha, passed away on Tuesday, February 7, 2017, at Hospice Alliance/Hospice House, Pleasant Prairie.

Bernice was born on September 26, 1919 in LuVerne, Iowa, a daughter of the late Oscar and Hedwig “Hattie” (Bodesheimer) Haugen.  The family moved to Burkhardt, WI, where the family operated a farm. Bernice moved to Hudson, WI with her mother and siblings.

Bernice was united in marriage to Donald J. Noreen in 1943.  Their marriage was blessed with three children.

Bernice worked many years as a telephone operator in Hudson and at the Emporium in St. Paul.  Bernice was formerly a resident of North St. Paul, MN, where she was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church for 63 years.  She currently was a member of St. Mary’s Lutheran Church in Kenosha where she had been actively involved in the Monday Quilting Group and The Friendly Center.

Her hobbies included quilting, card playing, knitting, board games, and reading.

Bernice is survived by her children, Pamela Beth (Winchester) Sherman, Hagerstown, MD & Edwards, CO; son Robert Paul (Kathleen) Noreen, Kenosha, WI, and Debra Lynn (John) Diesch, Aurora, CO; six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.  She is further survived by her sisters Lila Chiconis of Bayport, MN, and Olive Brande of Scottsdale, AZ, as well as many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Donald J. Noreen; her sisters, Alice Kordosky, Ella “Penny” Young and Violet Johnstad; as well as her brothers, Harold, Raymond and Daryl Haugen.

Bernice’s family wishes to extend their deep gratitude to Dr. Michael Zeihen, Pastor Sheila Rawn, Bob and Kate, and the entire staff of Hospice Alliance, and the special caregivers, Mindy, Dawn, and Kayla.

Service Info

A Memorial Service honoring Bernice’s life will be held on Monday, February 13, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Lutheran Church, 2001 80th Street, Kenosha. Inurnment will take place next to her husband on Thursday, February 16th in Willow River Cemetery, Hudson, WI.