Bernice Ann "Bee" Hangsleben

The Life and Memories of Bernice Ann (Teggatz) Hanglseben
Bernice Ann (Bee or her nickname Penny as a child), 91, passed away on February 17, 2024, at her residence in Woodside Village in Valley Senior Living in Grand Forks, ND.
Bernice was born in Grand Forks on November 27, 1932, to George August Teggatz and Britta Olave (Nash) Teggatz. She was the youngest of nine children. Bernice's mom passed away in 1934 when she was 15 months old, and her father died in 1944 when she was 11 years old. After her father had passed, she took the train to Texas and lived with her older brother Ray, his wife, and daughter. After six months, she was homesick for her siblings and the farm and moved back to Mentor, MN. She then lived with her brother Gene, his wife Josephine, as well as her brother Carly and sisters Dorothy and Lily in Mentor. She also stayed with several girlfriends whose families invited her to stay with them during the school year.
While her dad was at work on the Railroad and her siblings were at school, she cut her hair and the cats' whiskers! Her dad then met with the school board, and they gave Bernice permission to start first grade at the age of 4. Then she and her siblings were all in school together. Bernice graduated from Mentor High School in 1948, at the age of 16. She graduated from Teachers Training in East Grand Forks, MN in 1950, and taught in a one-room country school in Mallory, MN.
She met Oscar in 1948 and were married on October 28, 1950. They made their home in East Grand Forks, MN and were blessed with two daughters and three sons. While her children were in grade school, she served as President of the Valley Elementary School P.T.A. and supported her children in their many school activities. She loved being a Brownie Leader and Cub Scout Den Mother for her kids and their neighborhood friends.
In 1966 they started Valley Electric Motor Company; she was the company's bookkeeper. In 1972 they built and owned Valley Apartments, which she managed and did the bookkeeping. She worked in the office at Warehouse Foods Grocery and later as secretary/bookkeeper for Steve Jensen Insurance Co. in East Grand Forks.
Bernice said her joys and fondest memories came from family weddings, birthdays, and the celebration of Christmas and holidays at the farm. At Christmas the house was filled with adults and grandchildren with presents piled to the ceiling! She loved spoiling her kids and grandchildren. It was a priority that she attended the sporting events, band and choir concerts, and spent time with her five children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
She was a lifelong member of First Lutheran Church. Her faith was strong. The church was an important part of her life she enjoyed being in the choir, teaching Sunday School, attending bible study, and helping with many church groups and events. She loved quilting with her church friends. Her own quilting included patchwork quilts that her children and grandchildren treasure.
Bernice had a green thumb and loved collecting flower seeds from all the areas she visited. She'd dry them, put them in marked envelopes, and store them in coffee cans. Come spring, she worked hard at getting the soil ready to plant her flower and vegetable seeds. She also had lots of strawberry and raspberry plants. She canned and froze every vegetable and fruit available. There was always something on the table that she had grown. She loved sharing her fruits and vegetables with family and neighbors.
In her youth she rode their horses all the time. She taught her horses tricks, especially Birdie! She loved old and new country music, watching westerns on TV and DVD's, reading, and playing a quick game of Solitaire. She taught her grandchildren to play "Slapjack" and "Rummy" and she loved playing 500 Rummy with her daughter-in-law Sally. The grandchildren were always playing outside and helping in the garden at the farm. Grandma always had "doggies" at the farm and the grandchildren loved them.
Bernice is survived by her daughters Sherrie (Dave) Anderson of Apache Junction, AZ and Menagha, MN, Julie (Chuck) Fort of Newark DE, and her sons Dave (Sally) Hangsleben, Grand Forks, ND and Hermosa, SD, and Mark (Mona) Hangsleben, East Grand Forks and Williams, MN; 16 grandchildren Hidie Larson, Erik Anderson, Rachelle Hangsleben, Nicki Hangsleben, Nathan Hangsleben, Ben Hangsleben, Abby Mellen, Holly Seim, Mindy Hangsleben, Casey Hangsleben, Lyndsey Hangsleben, Derek Hansen, Mike Hangsleben, Heather Lizakowski, Matt Hangsleben, and Ashley Kostel; and 21 great-grandchildren Christian Larson, Gaia Rodio, Emerita Hangsleben Jarvis, Neko Hangsleben Jarvis, Ainsley Hangsleben, Aubrie Hangsleben, Cooper Mellen, Lauren Seim, Calvin Seim, Luke Hansen, Emma Hansen, Brynn Hansen, Luke Hansen, Aleah Oshie, Finley Lizakowski, Avery Lizakowski, Wyatt Hangsleben, Brooks Hangsleben, Maxson Hangsleben, Lyric Hangsleben, Kinley Kostel, and Kash Kostel.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Oscar (1992), her son Gordy (2006), and all her siblings: Louis, Ray, Margaret Carle, Gene, Lyda Grendahl, Carl, Dorothy Burr, and Lily Schmaltz.
Funeral Service: 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at First Lutheran Church, 203 5th St. NW, East Grand Forks, MN.
Funeral Service will be livestreamed on Bernice's Obituary at www.dandahlfuneralhome.com
Visitation: 1 Hour Prior Funeral Service on Saturday in First Lutheran Church
Interment: Memorial Park South Cemetery, Grand Forks, ND following the service.