Bernice Smith

Bernice Juliana Haus Smith, 84, was born March 20, 1934, in Hankinson, N.D., to Leo Haus and Helen Pelzl. Her final breath and peaceful rest occurred Thursday morning of Aug. 9, 2018, at Mineral Community Hospital in Superior.

Preceding her in death are the following: ex-husband, Duane Leland Hemen, Dusty (with whom she had five children); daughterd, Julie Ann Hemen and Rose Marie Hemen Beckett (two children, one surviving); son, Leland Duane Hemen (six surviving children); granddaughter, Angela Stepan; great-granddaughter Alija Jayne Schemel; and granddaughter, Kay Lee Beckett (two surviving children).

She is survived by daughter, Norma Lee (Mike) Stepan (two children, one surviving); daughter, Brenda Kay (Duane) Hemen Reynolds (one surviving child) and adopted daughter/granddaughter, Deseree Hemen Frieberg Smith (one surviving child); nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

As a single mother, she supported her four children working as a housekeeper, nurse’s aide and egg candler. Later in life, she was blessed with a job working at Mountain Bell/AT&T as an operator/technician until retirement.

She always had a garden, and raised chickens and pigs to provide food for her children. The aroma of homemade bread and cinnamon rolls baking in the oven frequented her kitchen. She believed and taught her children the Ten Commandments and to pray for guidance on a daily basis.

“Thank you mom, for your Unconditional Love, Diligence and Hard Work. We’ll miss you dearly.”

Respecting our mother’s last request, there will be no funeral or memorial services.