Bernice Margaret Raatz

Bernice Margaret Raatz…

was born on April 2, 1914 to William and Sarah (Crawford) Carson on a farm in Troy Township, Pipestone County, Minnesota. She walked to a country school one and a half miles and graduated from Pipestone High School. She then attended beauty school in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She returned to Pipestone where she worked until she was united in marriage to Emil Raatz on May 19, 1938. Following their marriage, they farmed in Troy Township for three years and then bought a farm in Sweet Township, Pipestone County. Emil preceded her in death on June 19, 1971. After his death, she remained on the farm until 2005, when she moved to Ridgeview Estates. In May of 2012, Bernice became a resident of Edgebrook Care Center in Edgerton, Minnesota where she died on Sunday, October 25, 2015 at the age of 101 years, six months and 23 days.

Bernice was a lifetime member of First Presbyterian Church in Pipestone where she was the chairman of overseas sewing in Ladies Aid and served as a Deacon and an Elder. She was also a member of “Sweet Chatters Sew” Club of Minnesota Extension and 4-H Club where she was an adult leader. She enjoyed gardening, cooking and baking, sewing, and crafts. She also enjoyed her time in the 4-H Club, being outside and most importantly spending time with her family.

She is lovingly remembered by her sons, Ronald (Donna) Raatz of Pipestone, James (Doris) Raatz of Waterloo, Iowa, and David (Karen) Raatz of Shakopee, Minnesota; her daughter, Delilah Hill of Woodlawn, Illinois; eight grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; one step great-grandchild; many nieces and nephews; and extended family. She is preceded in death by her husband; grandson, Scott; her parents; son-in-law, David Hill; step-grandson, Jeremy Hill; and three brothers, Howard, Joe and Kenneth.