Bernice Eleanor (Swennes) Hoff was born August 24, 1927, at home in rural Clarkfield, Minnesota, to parents Arne Swennes, Jr. and Cora Myhre Swennes. She attended school in Clarkfield Rural Districts #23 and #105. On June 1, 1945, she graduated from Clarkfield High School. Her father died the morning of her graduation day. After graduation she attended the College of Commerce in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She returned to her mother's home in Montevideo, Minnesota, and worked at JC Penney as a window trimmer. Bernice was confirmed as an adult at Our Savior's Lutheran Church of Montevideo. On June 25, 1947, she married Harvey Hoff of Hanley Falls, Minnesota. To this union two sons, Duane and David, and one daughter Debra were born. Harvey and Bernice farmed near Clarkfield and Wegdahl before purchasing a farm near Granite Falls, Minnesota. The family joined Saron Lutheran Church. Bernice served as the Secretary-Treasurer of the Sunday School for ten years. She was active in 4-H club and Homemakers. Bernice worked as the Communications Director at the Granite Falls School for seven years and for three years she was a USDA Statistician. In 1988 Bernice and Harvey left the farm and moved to Starbuck, Minnesota, where they made many special friends. All her life she loved movies, singing, dancing, reading, photography, drawing, watching the Twins and Vikings, and keeping a close eye on the weather. Visiting with friends and the time she spent with her family were her most treasured experiences. In October of 2005 she moved to an apartment in Clarkfield. Her health became worse and after two weeks at HCMC in Minneapolis in late December she came back to the Clarkfield Care Center. She passed away at the Care Center on Saturday, January 28, 2006, at the age of 78 years, 5 months, and 3 days. She is survived by her three children: Duane (Judy) Hoff of Elk River, Minnesota, David (Barb) Hoff of Baxter, Minnesota, and Debra (Paul) Wilson of Clarkfield; six grandchildren: Jordan Wilson (and finance Matthew Schmitt) of Indianapolis, Indiana, Evan (Melissa) Wilson of Norwood-Young America, Minnesota, Nathan Hoff of St. Cloud, Minnesota, Kelsey Hoff of Baxter, Minnesota, and Phillip and William Hoff of Elk River, Minnesota. She is also survived by her sister, Delores Larson of Milan, Minnesota; brothers-in-law Hubert (Virgie) Hoff of Montevideo, Minnesota, Alan (Evie) Smith of Cottonwood, Minnesota; sisters-in-law Shirley (Dave) Javens and Charlotte Hoff all of Cottonwood, Minnesota; her best friends, Bob (Becky) Nelson and Fran Moen all of Starbuck and several nieces, nephews, and beloved friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harvey; granddaughter, Allison Danae Hoff; sister Lillian Kopitzke; and brother Robert Swennes. Blessed be our tender memories of Bernice. Visitation Thursday, February 2, 2006 * 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Prayer Service 7:00 p.m. * Lynner Funeral Home Funeral Service Friday, February 3, 2006 * 1:30 p.m. Clarkfield Lutheran Church, Clarkfield, Minnesota Clergy Officiating, Pastor Steve Rheingans Organist, Annette Patel Congregational Hymns "I Love to Tell the Story" "I, the Lord, of Sea and Sky" Soloist, Becky Nelson "Amazing Grace" "On Eagles Wings" Honorary Casketbearers Bob Nelson, * Fran Moen Casketbearers (Her Grandchildren) Jordan Wilson, Evan Wilson Nathan Hoff, Kelsey Hoff Phillip Hoff, William Hoff Final Resting Place Baxter City Cemetery, Baxter, Minnesota Mom was a friendly, kind woman who loved unconditionally. And believe me, my brothers and I tested that love over and over. When we were growing up many times she would comment, "If you kids are only half as bad as your father when he was growing up. I'll be very happy!" Apparently, he had a reputation for being rather adventurous. She really believed we were only "half as bad", until we shared many stories of our escapades with her the night she asked to have the feeding tube removed. We had a great time reminiscing and laughing. The next day she told me, "David and you were such angels when you were little. You always played together so well." Then she paused and thought for a moment.. .and said, "But really you were little devils!" Mom read bedtime stories better than anyone! She used different voices for each character and tried to speak in the dialect of the story. Her favorite and ours was Brer Rabbit and de Tar Baby. As mothers and daughters often do, we disagreed on a few things, but we always loved to spend time together. She shared her love of movies, singing, dancing, reading, photography, and drawing with me, but I never acquired her passion for the weather. Many times she would call and the first question she asked was, "How's your weather?" She always worried that we had had a bad storm. My favorite memory of Mom was a Christmas tradition only she and I shared. A few weeks before Christmas she would bring home a large block of chocolate, sneak it with a cutting board and butcher knife into a drawer of my desk. Then every night after supper she'd come up with an excuse for the two of us to go upstairs to my room. We'd eat our chocolate, tell stories and giggle together. We never shared this time or the chocolate with anyone else. Last fall we made our last fun trip together. We flew to Indianapolis to see Jordan and Matt. She was tired, but she was so happy to see them and know that Jordan had someone so special in her life. We even had a girls' night out and took in a movie. Mom and Dad loved fishing and camping. They made many trips to Canada and Leech Lake after they retired. Eventually they moved to Starbuck and fishing became a daily routine. They shared this love with their grandchildren when they came to visit in the summer. After Dad died she never fished again, but she still loved to have the three youngest grandchildren come and stay with her. She would always tell me how special each of her grandchildren were. They each held a special place in her heart. She welcomed Melissa and Matthew with the same kind of love. We always knew when our birthday or anniversary was approaching. A week before the event a card arrived in the mail from Mom. I doubt that she ever had to buy a belated birthday card in her life. Last week she asked if I had sent cards to William and Phillip for their birthdays, and Duane and Judy for their anniversary. Fortunately, I had found her stash of cards and sent out the appropriate ones. Of course, I wasn't a week early! I'll always remember her smile, her patience with my impatience, and her constant forgiveness of my outbursts. She taught each of us many wonderful lessons. See you later alligator.. ..after while crocodile. Thank you for everything! I Love You Bushels! Deb Arrangements by Lynner Funeral Home Since 1891 Clarkfield Minnesota