Bernice Louise Christopherson
November 26, 1926 ~ August 4, 2024
Bernice L. Christopherson passed away peacefully Sunday, August 4, 2024, at the Bethany Meadows Home in Brandon, SD.
A Visitation for Bernice will be held at the Heartland Funeral Home, Brandon, SD on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be Thursday, August 8, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at the Split Rock Lutheran Church, rural Brandon. Interment will follow at the Split Rock Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Brandon, SD.
Bernice Louise Fiskey was born November 26, 1926, on a farm near Bridgewater, SD. Bernice was the oldest of four children born to William Fiskey and Minnie (Jensen) Fiskey. Bernice and her family spent the majority of her childhood in the Bridgewater area and later moved to a farm near Salem, SD. Bernice graduated from Salem High School in May 1944, and then attended Sioux Valley School of Nursing/Sanford Health, graduating in 1947. Bernice married Dennis Christopherson on February 28, 1960. Dennis and Bernice spent the majority of their married life at their home in Corson, SD. Bernice continued to live in Corson after the death of Dennis in 1996, until moving to Bethany Meadows in July 2016.
As a loving wife, Bernice continued in her nursing profession until her retirement, after 45 years of employment, at Sioux Valley/Sanford Hospital. Bernice lived an active life and taught by example. Among Bernice’s numerous achievements and involvement throughout her life, she was Supervisor/Administrator of the Luverne Community Hospital, Supervisor at Sioux Valley/Sanford Hospital, 1984 Nurse of the Year/Sioux Valley School of Nursing Alumni Association, 2012 Nurse of the Year/Sanford Health, Friends of Parkinson Foundation and Parkinson Committee, National Parkinson’s Foundation, volunteered at Split Rock Lutheran Church, Luther Manor Board Member, Nursing Alumni Association, Split Rock Lutheran Church Council, Senior Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and Alumni Association of Sioux Valley Hospital School of Nursing.
Bernice is survived by her sister, Jean Fiskey; and special friend, Yvonne Kelling, Mankato, MN; cousins, Pam King, Holt, MO; Jane Schumacher, Bismark, ND; special friends, Joe and Louise Sandoval, Alison Lane, Joe “Joey” Sandoval, Sharla Jannsen, Deb Weir, Steve Farley, Donna Skalland, Norma Chesshir, and many other friends and acquaintances.
Bernice was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis Christopherson; her parents; brother, Ralph Fiskey; sister, Delores Schoppert; and mother/father-in-law, Ruth and Dewey Christopherson.
I remember growing up as neighbors to Bernice and Dennis. My sister and I would help Dennis mowing the lawn and having cookies and visiting with them. Before Bernice went to live at Bethany Meadows she would sit on the porch with my mom and visit. Bernice and Dennis will always have a special place in my heart. May she rest in peace.