Bob And Bernice Davidson

Robert "Bob" Dean Davidson, age 86, of Cresco, Iowa passed away on October 22, 2020, at the Patty Elwood Center in Cresco. Robert was born on December 23, 1934, to Edward and Genevieve Davidson in Osage, Iowa. Bob was the youngest of four children, with an infant brother passing away before Bob's birth. Bob was a wrestler at Osage High School and then at Luther College before transferring to the University of Iowa where he graduated in 1958.
Bernice Jean Davidson, age 91, of Cresco, Iowa passed away on February 12, 2025, at Evans Memorial Home in Cresco. Bernice was born into a farming family on August 25, 1933, in Mountain Lake, Minnesota. Her parents, Tonjas "Tony" and Stintje "Tena" Behrends, had seven children of whom Bernice was the youngest. When she was in grade school the family moved to a farm near Buffalo Center, Iowa. After graduating from Buffalo Center High School, Bernice attended Iowa State Teachers College (now University of Northern Iowa) where she graduated in 1953.
Bob and Bernice met on a blind date in Osage in 1956 where Bernice was teaching kindergarten and Bob was taking a semester off from college to recover from Mono. They were married in 1957 and lived in Iowa City while Bob finished his degree at the University of Iowa and Bernice worked at the University Dental School. After Bob's graduation in 1958 they moved to Cresco and started Davidson's Modern Gas, providing propane, appliances and home services to the surrounding area. Bernice worked as the bookkeeper for the business as well as a substitute teacher in the Howard-Winneshiek school district. Bob and Bernice owned several businesses throughout the years and were always a great team. They were involved in many community organizations and served in various roles within the Cresco United Methodist Church where they were members for over 60 years. Bob had an entrepreneurial spirit and loved to learn. Over the years he took on many different business opportunities and hobbies, one of which was flying which he loved. Bernice enjoyed teaching all grades, cooking, baking, gardening and was a skilled seamstress. They were avid sports fans, especially of University of Iowa wrestling and football. They attended many meets and games through the years and in their later years enjoyed cheering for University of Oklahoma football. Above all, their greatest joy was their family. They never minded the travel required to spend as much time as they could with each family. There was never a doubt about how much they loved you, were proud of you, and enjoyed just being with you.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents and three siblings. Bernice is preceded in death by her husband Bob, her parents, and her six siblings. They are greatly missed by daughters Beth (Jon) Brovold of Andover, MN, Susan (Bill) Hammon of Tacoma, WA, and Carol (Bob) Stoops of Norman, OK; grandchildren Tim (Jackie) Brovold, Mackie Stoops, Drake Stoops, Isaac Stoops, and Lauren Hammon; and great-grandchildren Ethan and Hannah Brovold.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Patty Elwood Center, Evans Memorial Home, and Howard County Community Hospice for their loving care. You blessed us greatly by how well you cared for our parents.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Cresco United Methodist Church on April 25, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. with visitation one hour preceding the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Cresco United Methodist Church or Howard County Community Hospice.