Bernice K. Riley

Funeral services for Bernice Riley, of Morris, Minnesota, will be held on Thursday, April 27, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Assumption Catholic Church in Morris.  Father Todd Schneider will celebrate the Mass. A visitation will be on Wednesday, April 26 from 4-6:00 p.m. with a Prayer service and Rosary to begin at 6:00 p.m. at the Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church on Thursday.  Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Morris. 

Bernice Katherine Bresson was born on August 19, 1921, in Oshkosh Township, near Canby, Minnesota to Alfred and Kunda (Bertamus) Bresson.  She was the oldest of six children.  At the age of nine, Bernice lost her mother.  Bernice attended country school in Canby through the 8^th grade.  After her schooling, the family moved to Morris, Minnesota.  Bernice worked at several homes in Morris, caring for many families.  Bernice was united in marriage to George Riley on October 1, 1941.  They made their home on a farm near Morris and started their family, welcoming five daughters and three sons.  Bernice worked outside of the home, first as a waitress and then as a cook at the University of Minnesota, Morris, for 16 years.  They lived on the farm until 1989, when they moved into Morris.  George preceded Bernice in death in 2003. 

Bernice was a member of Assumption Catholic Church in Morris.  She volunteered at the church, serving many funeral luncheons and making quilts, and was part of the St. Martin Mission Circle.  She enjoyed playing cards, especially 500 and Bridge.  Bernice loved to travel – these trips took her to Ireland, Alaska, Hawaii, all over the West Coast, Canada, and Medjugorje in Bosnia, a catholic pilgrimage. She even enjoyed a Caribbean cruise after her 90^th birthday! She and George went on many bus trips as well.  They also enjoyed many family get togethers – mainly at the lake as they were a fishing family!  Bernice was always the first one in the boat!  Their family gatherings would always include fried fish and Bernice’s great potato salad!  Other hobbies of Bernice’s included: painting, sewing, cooking, and baking, knitting, crocheting, and gardening – growing the most gorgeous flowers! 

Bernice died peacefully on Friday, April 14, 2023, at the West Wind Village in Morris.  She was 101 years old.

Bernice is survived by her children: Connie (Dave) Kovash of Mandan, ND, Michael (Cinda) Riley of Canton, MI, Gary (Kim) Riley of Sanford, NC, Richard Riley of Wentworth, SD, Mary (Dick) Staples of Kensington, Helen (Al) Liebersbach of Mandan, ND, Marge (Robert) Hedlund of Garfield, and Colleen (Steve) Sunder of Glendale, AZ; 19 grandchildren and many, many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.  She is preceded in death by her husband, George; parents: Al and Kunda; grandson, Kevin Riley; sisters: Florence Loher, Madeline Breckenridge, Blanche Van Kempen, Cunda Wammingmann, and Tootie Reed; and one brother, Nick Bresson.