Bernice Mae Nelson

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Bernice Mae Hoiness Nelson, Sioux Falls, SD, 86, died at Dougherty Hospice House on December 13, 2017.  Funeral services will begin at 1:00 pm Saturday, December 16, 2017, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. Interment will be in the East Nidaros Lutheran Cemetery, rural Baltic. Visitation with the family present will be from 5-7:00 pm Friday, at the church.

Bernice was born to Ruth (Linge) & Chris Hoiness of Colton, South Dakota on October 23, 1931. She was married to Leland Nelson of Renner for 59 years, they primarily lived in Sioux Falls.

She was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, where she was an active member of Circle; and an avid quilter, and donated many to the local Alpha House.

She enjoyed working for the Pettigrew Museum, as a Docent Volunteer.  She loved being a part of the lives of her grandsons, Corey and Austin Backer, and especially enjoyed attending their sporting events.

She and her husband worked steadily at their business, Grain Dryers, Inc. and farming.

After the passing of her husband, she continued to manage the family farms until her death.

Bernice is survived by her two daughters, Nancy (Tom) McGraw of West Des Moines, Iowa and Dawn (Rick) Backer of Sioux Falls; two grandsons, Corey (Courtney) Backer & their daughter, Claire, Omaha, NE, and Austin Backer and his fiancé, Shaylee Heinert; and a sister, Carol (Paul) Grinde of Colton.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, her brother, Curtis of Colton.