Bernice Emil, 95, Minot and formerly of rural Ruso died on Tuesday, April 8, 2014 in a Minot nursing home.

Kathryn Bernice Butler was born on April 23, 1918 in Velva, ND to William and Lila (Wasson) Butler. She was reared and educated in the Sawyer/Velva area and graduated from Velva High School in 1935. She continued her education at a telegraph school and became employed as a telegrapher and depot agent for the Empire Builder/Great Northern Railroad in North Dakota and Montana.

Bernice married Alfred Emil on October 12, 1952 at Greatstone Baptist Church near Ruso, ND. They made their home on the Emil family farm in Greatstone Township of McLean County near Ruso. They raised small grains and were dairy farmers.

Bernice and Al moved to Minot in 2003 but had spent the winter months for twenty-three years in Apache Junction, AZ. Al died on May 14, 2005. Bernice had continued to make her home at Edgewood Vista prior to residing at Trinity Homes, both in Minot.

Bernice was a former member of Greatstone Baptist Church - rural Ruso and was presently a member of Immanuel Baptist Church - Minot. Also, she was a former member of the 4-Way Homemakers Club and especially enjoyed traveling, crocheting, card playing, sewing and knitting.

Bernice is survived by her grandchildren: Lauri Anderson of Aspen, CO, Kelli Williams of Phoenix, AZ and Richard Anderson of Laughlin, NV; great grandchildren: Sean Williams, Joshua Anderson and Jolene Anderson-Steele; great-great granddaughter Alayna Steele; sisters: Ardis Thompson, Shevlin, MN and Peggy Newland, Fridley, MN; brother: Donald Butler, Lake Itasca, MN; special niece and caretaker: Lila Striefel of Minot.

Bernice was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sisters: Ruth Thompson and Betty Lorenz, brother William Butler and daughter: Dorothy Kenady-Pirkl.

Celebration of the Life of Bernice Emil: Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. in Immanuel Baptist Church - Minot.
Interment: Greatstone Baptist Cemetery - rural Ruso.
Visitation: Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the Greatstone Baptist Cemetery - rural Ruso.