Bernice Abels

Bernice M. Abels, 80 of Grundy Center, Iowa, passed away Sunday, April 25, 2010 at Grundy County Memorial Hospital in Grundy Center, Iowa. Funeral mass will be 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 29, 2010 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, Reinbeck, Iowa. Burial will follow immediately after the funeral mass at Rosehill Cemetery, Grundy Center, Iowa. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Engelkes-Abels Funeral Home, Grundy Center, Iowa. A rosary service will be held at 4:00 p.m. and a vigil service will be held at 7:00 p.m. All are welcome to join.

Bernice was born on March 18, 1930 in Garwin, Iowa to her proud parents James and Bertha Aldrich. She graduated as the valedictorian from Garwin High School, Class of 49. After high school she moved to Grundy Center, Iowa and began work at Manly Drug Store. There she met and worked with Virgil Abels, the man who would become her husband. Virgil and Bernice were united in marriage on November 30, 1950 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Grundy Center, Iowa. They welcomed 8 children to their family and raised them in Grundy Center. Bernice was a devoted mother and chose to stay at home and raise her family. She would also, babysit for local families to generate extra income for her family. At one point she cared for 15 children at once.

She was a devout catholic and an active member in her church . She belonged to St Martha’s and study groups at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Bernice was very active in the local farmer’s market. She belonged to a card group with her lady friends. Bernice and Virgil belonged to the same couples card group for over 60 years. She wanted to make a blanket made from blue jeans for each of her children & grandchildren. She made lots of different crafts with her hands. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend. Bernice loved lilies and gardening. She loved to play cards and games with lots of different ages. She and Virgil were also active members in the “Meals on Wheels Program.” She was known in Grundy Center for her apple dumplings, homemade pies and blue jean quilts.

She had a special gift of making everyone she met feel loved and welcomed. She will be greatly missed. Bernice has looked forward to meeting the Lord in heaven. We know we all have her as our guardian angel now.

Bernice is survived by her husband Virgil; her children Mary Ellen (Carmen) Lagarelli of Elkton, MD, Marlyn (Terry) Abels of Cedar Falls, IA, Jim (Kim) Abels of Lakeland, FL, Jon (Melisa) of Lake City, FL, Harold Abels of Roanoke, VA, Jeanean (Paul) Willems of Story City, IA, Janelle (Todd) Onnen and Darrell Abels of Olathe, KS; her 26 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren; her brother Berdell Aldrich of Toledo, IA and her sisters Mildred Mathern of Mayer, AZ and Mary Alice Hatton of Cedar Falls, IA. She is preceded in death by her parents and 6 siblings.