Bernice Loretta Yamry, 89, Holdingford

January 13, 1926 - August 5, 2015

Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of Bernice L. Yamry, age 89, of Holdingford, will be at 11:00 AM on Monday, August 10, 2015 at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Opole. Father Gregory Mastey will officiate and burial will be in the parish cemetery. Bernice passed away early Wednesday morning at HCMC in Minneapolis. There will be a visitation from 4:00-8:00 PM on Sunday, August 9, 2015 and again after 10:00 AM until the time of service Monday at the church. Parish prayers will be at 4:00 PM and Christian Mothers will pray the rosary Sunday evening. Arrangements are being made with Miller-Carlin Funeral Home, Holdingford.

Bernice was born on January 13, 1926 to Victor and Julia (Kuklok) Bieniek in Opole. She was raised alongside ten siblings on the family farm. Bernice married Alphonse Yamry on August 19, 1947 and their union welcomed a total of 17 children. She was a busy stay-at-home mom who mothered everyone. Her home was open to all and she welcomed her nieces, nephews, and many others along the way. She often would teach a lesson by having her children and grandchild work around the farm. Bernice enjoyed farming, milking cows, and gardening. She was a wonderful cook and baker, and her dishes are remembered fondly, especially her fresh-baked bread, coffee cake, and many among other dishes. She loved holidays and made them special for her family and friends. Her sense of humor, wit, and quick comebacks were legendary and always brought a smile to people’s faces. Bernice was very proud of her children and the feeling was mutual as they say she was the best mom, grandma, and great-grandma there could be. She enjoyed playing dice games, doing puzzles, and painting ornamental birdhouses. Bernice belonged to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, the Christian Mothers, Missions Group, and St. Victoria’s.

Bernice is survived by her children Alphonse Jr. (MaryLou) Yamry, Roseau; Jane (Vern) Lieser, Anoka; Fritz (Diane) Yamry, Nevis; Catherine (Bill) Becker, Waite Park; Mary Carmel (Marty) Andreasen, Walker; Christine (Bill) VanHoorik, St. Michael; Julie (John Wellman) Smoley, Holdingford; Victor (Carolyn) Yamry, Hugo; Gerard (Lisa) Yamry, St. Joseph; Bernice “Sugar” (Ken) Opatz, Opole; Joe (Schonda) Yamry, Washington; Bonnie (Keven) Sunderman, St. Rosa; her siblings Leander (Louise) Bieniek, Holdingford; Ludger “Butch” (Carol) Bieniek, St. Cloud; Marcel (Kathy) Bieniek, Sartell; Marlene (Dennis) Symalla, Stillwater; Victoran (Don) Carlson, Mora; Victor (Bonnie) Bieniek, Little Falls; 33 grandchildren; 55 great-grandchildren; as well as many more family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents Victor and Julia Bieniek, her husband of Alphonse in 2010, her sons Michael Yamry, Marvin Yamry, three infant angels John, Kevin, and James, her grandson Kevin Becker, her siblings Claude Bieniek, Ernest Bieniek, Celestine “Bessie” Bieniek, and Felix Bieniek, and her son-in-law Ricky Smoley.