Bernice Kolrud

Bernice (Steig) Kolrud passed on March 6th, 2024 at age 89.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00AM, Friday, March 15 at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.

A time for coffee, cookies and remembrance will be held at 9:30AM, Sunday March 17 at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 1143 N 26th St, Bismarck.

She was born on December 13, 1934 in Kintyre, North Dakota to Karoline (Ohlheuser) and Edward E. Pfeifle. After the death of her mother, she lived with and was adopted at age five and a half by Alex and Christine Steig of Drake, ND.

Bernice attended grade and high school in Drake and graduated in 1952. She was a pianist for church and local functions, sang in the Glee Club and Sextet, was cheerleader and worked part-time at the local drug store. She met Dale Kolrud while working as a telephone operator, and, after only one date, Dale proposed and they were married on June 19, 1954 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Drake. They had three children, Crystal Ann, Mark Alan and Jon Dale.

From Drake, they moved to Rugby, Grand Forks, Jamestown (50+ years) and eventually Bismarck to be close to family. Bernice was meticulous at everything she did and held several positions as secretary, bookkeeper and eventually retired from the American Heart Association in Jamestown in 1996.

Bernice was a member of the Lutheran Church, American Legion Auxiliary and VFW Auxiliary. She always loved to work in her garden, spoil grandchildren and greatgrandchildren, go for walks, bake her world famous “urkle-brickle-chip” cookies, solve word find puzzles, and always had a pot of coffee on for everyone! She was always up for anything!

Bernice was preceded in death by her husband Dale; son, Jon; parents; brother, Emmitt Steig and brother-in-law, Bruce Engel. 

She is survived by her daughter, Crystal Engel; son, Mark Kolrud (Soon Hee); three grandchildren, Kalli Karsnia (Chet), Carlie Kolrud and Joe Evenson, and three great-grandchildren, Audrey Williams, Avrey Karsnia and Myla Karsnia.

Bernice dearly loved her husband, children and their families. She loved to laugh and help others.

Memorial contributions: American Cancer Society 2401 46th Ave SE Ste 102, Mandan, ND 58554, and the American Heart Association.