Bernice Elvida Rasmuson Johnson, 95, Minot, formerly of Surrey, died Sunday, April 12, 2009 in a Velva care center.

Bernice was born on December 14, 1913 on the family farm in New Prairie Township of McHenry County near Surrey, North Dakota. She was the youngest of nine children born to Peter and Anna (Bogan) Sylstad. She was reared on the family farm and attended rural schools in that area before graduating from Surrey High School.

Bernice married Earl Rasmuson on November 13, 1931. They purchased a farm northeast of Surrey, where they farmed and raised their five children. Earl died on July 2, 1966. For many years, Bernice worked as a cook for Surrey School and Minot State University. Bernice married Melvin Johnson of Bottineau in November of 1975. They made their home on a farm near Bottineau and later moved into Bottineau. Melvin died in 1985. Bernice had resided at Edgewood Vista, Parshall Nursing Home and with her son and daughter-in-law Leon and Marion Rasmuson in New Town before moving to the Souris Valley Care Center in Velva in June of 2008.

Bernice was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, where she was active with the Church's quilting group, choir and ladies organization. She loved to sing and dance and was an excellent seamstress. Her love for gardening made way for all the wonderful meals she cooked for family and friends. You could always find Bernice in the kitchen with her apron on.

Her loving family includes her Children: Jerry (Barb) Rasmuson, Surrey, Dale (Diane) Rasmuson, Bismarck, Karen (Wallace) Edwardson, Rescue, CA and Leon (Marion) Rasmuson, New Town, ND; Daughter-in-Law: Dorothy Rasmuson Reichenberger, Surrey, ND, Thirteen Grandchildren, Twenty-four Great-Grandchildren, Seven Great-Great Grandchildren; Step-children: Janice (Russ) Picard, of Bottineau and Carol (Mike) Raymond, of Grand Forks; Nine Step-grandchildren and Six Step-Great grandchildren; Sister-in-Law: Tee Sylstad, Minot; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Bernice was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, son, Duane, daughter-in-law: Charlotte Rasmuson, granddaughter, Robin Rasmuson, brothers, Arthur, Emil, Clifford, Harry, Ralph, and sisters, Alice Larson, Mable Tharp and Florence Kronenberg.

Funeral service : Friday, April 17, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. in Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot
Interment will be later in the Spring in Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Visitation : Thursday from 2:00-7:00pm in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials: In lieu of plants and flowers memorials are preferred to Bethany Lutheran Church - Minot.