Bernice Selander

Bernice Selander, 77, of Red Wing, died Monday, October 12, 2009 at Fairview Seminary Home. She was born April 1, 1932 in O'Brien County, Iowa to Herman and Henrietta (Zorgdrager) Venekamp. They moved to Pipestone County in 1937. She graduated from Pipestone High School in 1950 and worked in Minneapolis for a short time. She married Gordon Selander on May 23, 1953 in Ruthton, Minnesota. They resided in Red Wing where she worked as a cook at the high school and Jordan Towers for a number of years. For many years she was a seamstress, sewing draperies, doing alterations, and upholstery. She was a member of First Lutheran Church where she and Gordon oversaw Forever Young for ten years. She enjoyed gardening and collecting angels.

She is survived by her husband, Gordon; three children, Stan (Gladys) Selander of Ramsey, Minnesota, Sherri (Peter) Speerstra of Alma, Wisconsin, and Louise (Ron) Christenson of Eau Claire, Wisconsin; seven grandchildren; one great-grandson; two brothers, Duane (Mary) Venekamp of Medford, Oregon and Gene (Sandra) Venekamp of Grants Pass, Oregon; three sisters, Fern (Ron) Laingen of Lake Crystal, Minnesota, Verla (Bob) Gruis of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Beva Vos of Ruthton, Minnesota, as well as nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents and three brothers, Marvin, Wilbur, and John.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, October 15, 2009 at First Lutheran Church with Reverend Christine Engstrom officiating. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel and one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials are preferred to First Lutheran Church.