Bernece Irene Demuth

Bernece Irene Demuth was born on January 1, 1929 to Ed and Annie (Akkerman) Boomgaarden on a small farm in Pipestone County, Minnesota.  She grew up on the farm and first attended a small country school between Verdi and Cazenovia, Minnesota, then later Pipestone public schools.  After graduation from Pipestone High School, Bernece attended a year of college at Augustana in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  She met her husband Bernard Demuth while babysitting for his sister’s children.  They were united in marriage on June 1, 1948.  They moved to a farm outside of Edgerton, Minnesota where they worked together to take care of the farm and raise their six children.  In 1971, Bernece accepted a position as a bookkeeper for the Woodstock Farm Elevator until it closed in 1995.  She enjoyed retirement with Bernard, staying on the farm until 2017.  On Sunday, November 5, 2023, Bernece passed away from this life and joined her husband, Bernard, at the age of 94 years, 10 months, and 4 days.

Bernece was a strong woman.   She took pride in being an equal partner in managing the farm with Bernard.   She was a kind and loving mother who found great satisfaction in supporting her family's education, and in raising capable, self-sufficient children.  In retirement, she found great joy in her grandchildren and enjoyed working in her garden, where she loved growing flowers. She and Bernard loved to spend time together and would join friends and family playing cards and dancing. Bernece also enjoyed crocheting and sewing.

Bernece is survived by her children, Linda Beggerly of Charlottesville, Virginia, Carol (Bill) Rollins of Tucson, Arizona, Steve (Laura) Demuth of Decorah, Iowa, Roger (Gail Johnson) Demuth of Portland, Oregon, Tom (Roxanne) Demuth of Vesta, Minnesota, and Rosemarie “Rosie” (Jerry) Nold of Brookings, South Dakota; grandchildren, Kathy, Brian, Jennifer, Sarah, Bathsheba, Gabriel, Joel, Rosie, Crystal, Dusty, Mary, Emily, and Josie; and 9 great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, Bernard Demuth; parents Ed and Annie Boomgaarden; siblings, Jake Boomgaarden, Clara Jans, Mabel Leiser, Edith Merha, Ed Boomgaarden, and Irvin Boomgaarden; and son-in-law Jim Beggerly.

Services are pending and have been entrusted to Hartquist Funeral Home - Pipestone Chapel.