Bernice was born December 4, 1913 in Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada when her parents G.W. “Willie”and Clara (Berge) Johnson worked there for a local farmer. The family moved to Montana in 1916 when Bernice was 2 ½, and settled on a Homestead northwest of Frazer where Bernice grew up with older sister Ruth and brother Wallace.
She recalled life on the homestead as hard work for the whole family as well as family fun, with good memories of dances and school programs. She grew up when most health issues were treated with home remedies, although she recalled going to Glasgow when she was a first grader to have her tonsils out.
Bernice and siblings attended the Sjurson School until she was ready to “read for the minister”, when she went to Battle Lake, Minnesota and stayed a few years with her Grandma Rachel Berge and was confirmed in the Lutheran Church. She returned to Montana and attended high school in Nashua. She boarded out, working for room and board so she could attend school. One year she boarded at the home of Oscar and Myrtle Olson, caring for their children and doing housework. During that time she became acquainted with Myrtle’s brother, Elmer Nybakken, who farmed north of Nashua.
Bernice and Elmer were married in 1932 and she moved to the Nybakken homestead. As a farm wife, she raised turkeys, chickens and a large garden plus milked cows and would help with field work when needed. She and Elmer had two children, Wayne born in 1933 and Shirley in 1936. They were good hosts and had a wide circle of friends and relatives who often came to visit, play cards and enjoy a meal. Bernice was a good cook and holiday meals included many Scandinavian treats, such as lefse, krumkake, and futigman. When the kids were ready for school they purchased a place on the outskirts of Nashua so they could move the cows and family to town for the winter months. They followed the sports teams and music groups of the Nashua High School, often taking a car full of kids to tournaments and festivals, etc.
They were active in the community especially the Lutheran Church, Farmers Union and the local Co-ops where she was often in charge of meals for meetings. They liked to fish, and were instrumental in bringing the Marina to the Fort Peck Lake. After the kids were grown, Bernice and Elmer traveled by car or motor home throughout the United States, visiting friends, their many god-children and relatives with Bernice doing a lot of the driving. In 1954 she became a Grandmother for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed that role – for the rest of her life to include the great and great great grandchildren
Elmer passed away in 1975. Bernice continued to live at Nashua with son Wayne, and traveled with sister Ruth Brooks, also a widow. They spent winters in Arizona. They also went to Panama, Switzerland, Holland and Norway. In Norway, she purchased a hardanger kit, and soon learned to make the beautiful hardandger doilies and decorations. All her grandchildren and great grandchildren received special pieces. She made hardanger alter clothes for Our Redeemer and Grace Churches and won Best of Fair for a hardanger doll. She continued to do hardanger until she was past 100 and it became hard to see and count the stitches.
Her travels took her on a tour to Hawaii in 1978, where she met Harry Herman, from Plentywood, who was also with the tour group. They were married that fall and she and Harry went to Arizona the next winter, where they purchased a home and spent the winter for many years with Ruth next door. They danced and played Bingo and entertained and so enjoyed their time. Harry passed away in 1985. Bernice continued to spend winters in AZ and summer in Montana until 2010 when she gave up her beautiful winter home and moved to Prairie Ridge. She lived there until July, 2020 when she moved to Valley View.
Her memory was sharp – she could recall things like the price they paid for a new car in the 1940’s, the year when there was a good or poor crop, a birth or major storm. She was a story teller and the family has tapes of her memories. She enjoyed going to the casinos, playing cards and games, still playing hand and foot in 2019 –Bingo was a long time favorite pass time and she was often a winner.
Bernice left this world on Sunday, Sept. 13 at Valley View nursing home and many joyous reunions went on in heaven that day. She was preceded in death by her husband Elmer Nybakken, second husband Harry Herman, a grand daughter, Diane, a great granddaughter and two great great granddaughters, her parents, sister Ruth Brooks and brother Wallace Johnson. She is survived by her son Wayne Nybakken, daughter Shirley Ball, and three grandchildren, Jackie (Steve) Dowell, Nashua, David (Patricia) Ball, Nashua and Jim (Kerri) Ball Cass Lake, Minnesota; Also, seven great grandchildren, Lyle (Tiffany) Dowell, Glasgow; Jason (Jody) Ball, Cass Lake Minnesota. Eric (Sandy) Dowell, Helena; Dustin (Darcy) Dowell. Malta; Brandi Ball Allen; Billings, Tarin (Ryan) Shilhanek, Billings; and James D. (Zandy) Ball, Ashford, WA plus 16 great great grandchildren. Also, many beloved nieces and nephews including Rachel Bedwell of Glasgow
Cremation has taken place, and services will be held Saturday, September 26, 2020 at 10:30 at Our Redeemer Lutheran in Nashua. Condolences may be left at bellmortuarymontana.com for the family.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Saturday September 26, 2020
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
Nashua, Montana 59248
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Saturday September 26, 2020
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
Nashua, Montana 59248
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Marie Podvin says
Your mother was a very joyous lady to know. The first time I meet her was on our way back from California with Junior’s mom and dad in Apache junction. They where very nice and she insisted that we go have pizza and a beer. The thing that I thought that was awesome about her was when she got up and danced at her 104th birthday. I know your supposed to be sad when someone pass away, but I know that she would not want anyone to be sad about her leaving. She had a great and loving life. God bless you and your family at this time.
Dwayne Bondy says
Dear Shirley,
My condolences to you and your family on the loss of your mom. Her tribute story was a delight to read. What a long and interesting life she led! I think she was the last one of the many members of the Minnesota homestead ‘family’ who moved out together to northeastern Montana so long ago. My dad always considered your mom and your aunt Ruthie his Minnesota ‘cousins’ through their shared Aunt Geneva Berge Bondy. May good memories of her remain wtih you forever!
Ardis Jerome says
I loved visiting your Mom while my father, Hartvik, lived across the hall from her at Prairie Ridge. She was always cheerful, a memory of her since I was little, she would sit next to Dad and help him see the numbers on his Bingo cards.
I’m pretty sure she, Frances and Dad had a little ‘toddy’ most every night… 🤗
Mostly, I remember my Dad taking her to the dance floor on her 100th birthday… Now, I’m comforted to know the Big Dance Party is going on in Heaven.
What a wonderful legacy she has left for her beautiful family.