Bernice Kotasek Stoland , 91, Minot, died Saturday, July 2, 2016 in a Stanley Nursing Care Center.

Bernice was born April 16, 1925 at Palermo, North Dakota the daughter of Gunder and Johanna (Kvamme) Rugland. She was raised on the family farm near Palermo and educated at country schools near there.

Bernice was united in marriage to Albert Kotasek on October 29, 1953 at Palermo. They made their home on a farm north of Minot, where they raised their two children. Albert died on May 28, 1974. Bernice was united in marriage to Millard Stoland on October 18, 1980 at Minot. They lived for a time on his farm near Carpio until they moved to Minot in 1992. Millard died on February 26, 2008. Bernice made her home at Edgewood Vista and Trinity Nursing Home for several years prior to her moving to the Bethel Home in Stanley in October of 2015.

Bernice was a longtime member of Zion Lutheran Church, Minot, where she was active with Hannah Circle. She enjoyed cooking and entertaining people in her home. She was a former member of the McKinley Homemakers Club, Parents without Partners and was active with the Ward County Farmers Union Education Committee.

Her loving family includes , children, Blaine Kotasek, Rural Minot and Debbie Kotasek, Minot; grandson, Joshua Kotasek; brother, Gordon Rugland, Stanley, ND; step-son, Jerome Stoland, North Sioux City, SD; step-daughter, Kathy (Jody) Schulz, Woodbury, MN; several nieces and nephews.

Bernice was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, Albert and Millard; brother, Kenneth and sister-in-law, Beverly.

Celebration of Life service : Saturday, July 9, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. in Zion Lutheran Church, Minot.
Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Minot.
Visitation: Friday from 3:00-6:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Zion Lutheran Church Building Fund.