Bernice Irene Thorstenson

1939 - 2024

Bernice Irene Thorstenson

March 13, 1939 - June 15, 2024

Kennewick, Washington - Bernice Irene Thorstenson passed away on June 15, 2024, in Kennewick, Washington at the age of 85. She was born to Melvin and Ingrid Thorstenson on March 13, 1939, in Mobridge, South Dakota and raised on Green Valley Stock Farm near Selby, South Dakota. She attended McKinley School, a country schoolhouse, and Selby High School. She graduated from Black Hills State University with a degree in Elementary Education.

Bernice taught school in Rapid City, South Dakota; Denver, Colorado; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Petaluma, California. She spent most of her career at Petaluma Junior High School, teaching English and Drama, and retired in 2000. She lived in Emeryville, CA for 25 years and Sonoma, CA for 27 years before moving to Kennewick, WA in 2022 to be near her niece and caregiver, Valerie Scott.

Bernice met the love of her life in 1979, husband Manfred Krause. They were together 41years and enjoyed theatre, tennis, swimming, hiking, skiing, gardening, and climbing the hills around the San Francisco Bay Area and Sonoma. Bernice attended over 100 operas, with the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House being her favorite place to enjoy performances. She enjoyed reading, reciting poetry, attending book club gatherings, and going to museums and art galleries. Bernice had the gift of hospitality and was often involved at church and in the community helping to prepare teas, meals, or host dinner parties. She played mahjongg several times a week and completed a daily sudoku and was always working on at least one puzzle. Bernice was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church in Sonoma and volunteered for the Sonoma League of Historical Preservation and the Sonoma Newcomers Club.

Bernice saved her money carefully so she could travel internationally every summer. She loved to incorporate travel adventures into her teaching curriculum so the students could learn through her experiences. Bernice traveled to 34 countries: Austria, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Korea, Lebanon, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and Yugoslavia.

Bernice is preceded in death by her parents Melvin and Ingrid Thorstenson, husband Manfred "Fred" Krause, brother Merlyn Thorstenson, brothers-in-law LeRoy Perman and Vonley Hanson, and great-great nephew Tayson Cano.

Bernice is survived by her sisters Vivian Perman, Claris Hanson, and Ione (John) Podgore, brother Topper (Judy) Thorstenson, and sister-in-law Janice Thorstenson. She is also survived by 18 nieces and nephews: Valerie Scott, Valynn Schmierer, Lyle Perman, Valette Horst, Valessa Caspers, Lowell Perman, Brenda Czmowski, Renae Rausch, Lori Mayer, Marlyn Thorstenson, Mark Hanson, John Hanson, Tom Hanson, Stacy Thorstenson, Pat Thorstenson, Marnie Goehring, John Eric Podgore, and Leilani Plougmann.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Hillcrest Funerals is handling arrangements. https://www.hillcrestfunerals.com/

In lieu of flowers please consider send donations to one of Bernice's favorite charitable organizations:

Bernice Thorstenson Education Scholarship, Black Hills State University, 1200 University Street #9506, Spearfish, SD 57799.

Lake Hiddenwood Foundation (Bernice's favorite childhood park in South Dakota that is being rebuilt after a flood), PO Box 131, Selby, South Dakota 57472