Bernice M. Houser

Bernice M. Houser, age 91, of Cresco formerly of Ionia, IA passed away on Friday, July 19, 2013 at Cresco Care Center in Cresco. Bernice Mabel Pickar was born on August 19, 1922 to Raymond and Bertha (Boehmer) Pickar on their family farm in Deerfield Township, IA. She received her education in country school in Deerfield Township in rural Chickasaw County. After her education, Bernice then worked various outside jobs until she met and married her husband, William Arthur Houser on January 31, 1944 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Ionia. The couple made their home in Deerfield Township on a farm near her parents. To this union six children were born; Marilyn, Daniel, Joyce, Thomas, Janice and Michael. In 1969, William “Art” passed away. Bernice then continued her education at Northeast Iowa Community College in Calmar, IA where she earned her LPN nursing license. She then worked at Riceville Nursing Home and Colonial Manor in Elma until retiring in 1989. After retirement Bernice enjoyed gardening, cooking, baking, shopping, quilting and sewing. She especially enjoyed raising her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church, and was an active Eucharistic Minister. In 2002, Bernice entered into the nursing home where she resided until her passing. Bernice is survived by her children, Marilyn Kriener of Cresco, IA, Daniel Houser of Elma, IA, Thomas (Cindy) Houser of Riceville, IA, Janice (Jerry) Maher of Valparaiso, NE and Michael (Dannae) Houser of Solomon, KS; 18 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; her brothers, Stanley Pickar of Garden Grove, CA and Mike (Edna) Pickar of New Hampton, IA; her sisters-in-law, Rosalie Pickar and Gertrude Houser, both of New Hampton, IA; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, William “Art”; one daughter, Joyce (Tom) Webb; her sons-in-law, Edward Kriener and Gary Clem; her grandsons, Daniel Joseph Webb, Jeffrey Miller and Jacob Houser; her brothers, James and Bernard Pickar; her sisters-in-law, JoAnne Pickar and Joan Pickar. Cemetery: Burial will follow the mass at St. Mary’s Cemetery in North Washington, IA. Memorials may be directed to the family. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00pm on Monday, July 22, 2013 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Ionia with a 6:30pm Rosary. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the mass on Tuesday. Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Bernice at 10:00am, on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Ionia, IA with Father Mark Osterhaus celebrating.