Bernice Poesch
Bernice Poesch, age 87, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Arlington Place in Oelwein January 5, 2018. There will be a Celebration of Life at the St. Paul Lutheran Church, 116 East Military Road, Postville Saturday, February 24 with visitation at 11 a.m. and Memorial Service at 12 p.m.
Bernice was born February 15, 1930. She was raised in Postville, graduated from Postville High School in 1947 and taught at West Grove Country School for two years. In December 1948, Bernice married Leslie Poesch. They lived in Postville, and in 1976 remodeled and moved to the family farm house in which she was raised. Leslie passed away in 1983, and in April 1986 Bernice married Lester Friederich and lived in Luana.
Bernice was a long-time member of the Post-Franklin Study Club. She also belonged to the Eve Circle at St. Paul Lutheran Church, the Grand Meadow Country Club, and was an honorary member of United Presbyterian Women. Throughout her life Bernice greatly enjoyed her children and grandchildren, sharing her great sense of humor with them. She enjoyed friends, gardening, flower arranging, bowling, golfing, water skiing, bicycling, knitting and baking.
Bernice loved the outdoors and exercise. She moved next door to Elaine and Miron Walker in Oelwein in 2013 where she continued to walk the neighborhood and bake cinnamon rolls, pies and chocolate chip cookies.
Bernice is survived by her children, Donna (Ron Shepherd) Poesch of LeClaire, Elaine (Miron) Walker of Oelwein, Lowell (Sally) Poesch of Minneapolis, MN and Charles (Karma) Poesch of Allentown, PA; her step-children, Annette Rurup, Denise Friederich and April (T-Bird) Templeton; her grandchildren, Steven Jerome, Carrie (Abel Miller) Walker, Gregory Walker, Dylan (Jacobi) Poesch, Erika Poesch, and Carly, Chris, Collin and Chelsea Poesch; her step-grandchildren, Jessica (Bryan) Bennett and family and Austin Rurup; her sisters-in-law, Darlene Brainard, Shirley Brainard and Orril Brainard; her niece, Carol Barron; and numerous nieces and nephews and their families.
Bernice is preceded in death by her parents, George and Eva Brainard; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Edward and Melvina Poesch; her husband, Leslie Poesch; her husband, Lester Friederich; an infant daughter, Anne Catherine; and a grandson, Casey Jay Walker. Bernice was also preceded in death by seven brothers, Dale (Erna) Brainard, Lee (Donna) Brainard, John (Shirley) Brainard, Keith (Jenetta) Brainard, Ray Brainard, Gene (Charlene) Brainard and Edgar Brainard; her two sisters, Barbara (Kenneth) Schori and Janice (Leland) Walby Glaim; Russell Enyart; her brother-in-law, Lyle Poesch; her sister-in-law, Jessie Poesch; her nieces, Jana Rupnick and Rhonda Radloff; and her nephew, Bradley Brainard.
The Geilenfeld Funeral Home in Oelwein is assisting the family with arrangements. For condolences, please visit www.geilenfeldfh.com.
