HOLMEN, Wis. --- Bernice Elaine Rieple, age 84 years,of Holmen,Wisconsin died peacefully on Thursday, May 2, 2019. Bernice E. Rieple was born December 29, 1934 in East Providence, Rhode Island to Edward and Myrtle (Reid) Tierney. Bernice graduated from East Providence High School. She continued her education and graduated from Bryant College, in Providence, Rhode Island in 1953. Bernice married Ray Moe Rieple, on November 17, 1956 in East Providence, Rhode Island. Bernice has since resided in Holmen, Wisconsin.
Bernice was actively involved in the Holmen Community. She was a long time member of Holmen Lutheran Church. She is a past President of Holmen Lutheran Church ELCA and also a past President of Holmen American Auxiliary. Bernice also volunteered at Sand Lake Elementary and Holmen Nutritional Center. Bernice worked for 12 years for the Holmen School District, as Head Cook at Oak Grove Elementary School, and loved her coworkers and job.
Bernice was a devoted wife, good friend and a loving and caring Mom.
Bernice Rieple is survived by her daughter, Kathie (John) Whittaker of Royal Palm Beach, FL and their son Lucas and his daughters Alaina and Allison. Two sons, John (Patsy) Rieple, of Galesville, and their children Jacob and Jessica; Tom (Julianna) Rieple of Galesville, and their children Amber and her sons Nathaniel and Finn, Lisa and her son Jayden, and Joshua. Foster son Daniel (Ann) Peterson and their son Peder. Sister, Margaret (Rusty) Fried of Phoenix, AZ, and sister in-law, Phyllis Kramer, of LaCrosse. She is proceeded in death by her parents, her husband Ray, two brothers Norman (Claire) Tierney and Charles (Marion) Leonhard and two brothers in-law Frank Rieple and Herbert Kramer.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Monday June 10, 2019 at the Holmen Lutheran Church, Pastor Matt Toso will officiate. Burial will follow in the Long Coulee Cemetery. A luncheon in the Church fellowship hall. Visitation will be from 9:00 am until 11:00 am. The Holmen American Legion Auxiliary Unit 284 will hold a prayer service at 10:45 am at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in Bernice’s name to Lutheran World Relief. (Link at the bottom of the page.)
The family would also like to thank the staff of Eagle Crest North, Hillview Healthcare and Gunderson Hospice for their compassion and guidance over the past year.
Our Mother was a frequent Saturday night church goer and she really loved when the small children gathered up the money placed in the aisle for donations to Lutheran World Relief.
This is why we chose Lutheran World Relief for her memorial.
If you prefer to send a memorial donation in a card please use the following address:
The Rieple Family
W19576 Saw Mill Road
Galesville, WI 54630