Celebrating the Life of Bernice Lillian Elert

February 18, 1927 – July 24, 2017

Date of Funeral: Tuesday, August 1, 2017 - 3:00 pm

Roseville Lutheran Church

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Bernice grew up in St. Paul in the Midway area. She loved playing outside with neighborhood friends–biking, playing ball and kick the can, doing art projects at the neighborhood park, but most of all she loved her rat terrier, Mickey. She was very musical, playing and performing on the piano and clarinet, but her accordion was her prized possession. Bernice also loved to dance and rollerskate, and was a member of the St. Paul Figure Skating Club. She graduated from Wilson High School and attended the University of Minnesota, earning her BS in Medical Technology. After graduation, she taught two years at the U of M Hospital, then was hired to be the head of Miller Hospital laboratory in St. Paul. She also did research, won the prestigious Kimball Award and published with several pathologists. 

While at the U of M, Bernice met her husband, Warren Elert, who also played clarinet in concert and marching band. In addition to being musical, his dancing skills caught her eye. They dated by streetcar, married in 1949, built a home in St. Paul and eventually moved to Roseville. 

Bernice was active in church where she played organ, taught Sunday School and often ran the Vacation Bible School programs. She also volunteered as a room parent, PTA member and was instrumental in the construction of the auditorium at Alexander Ramsey High School. 

Bernice had many hobbies and interests including painting, china painting, gardening, sewing, canning and entering flower arrangements in the Minnesota State Fair. Bernice and Warren loved to fish, and for 52 years vacationed on Lac Des Mille Lacs in Ontario. They passed on their love of fishing, the Canadian wilderness and adventure to their family.  

Bernice was in the U of M Marching Band during a short period in the mid-1940s when women were allowed to join, since so many young men were in the service during WWII. She and Warren started a family legacy that continues today. Conni and Bill and Brent and Jeanne met in the marching band. Reid, Alex, Kyle and Eric have all been in the marching band at the U. Bernice and Warren were thrilled to watch their children and grandchildren march, and were members of the Alumni Band for most of their married lives. 

Bernice and Warren found great joy in their 5 grandsons. They attended every concert, recital, hockey or soccer game possible. They read books, played endless games and took the boys on adventures of imagination in the yard and the nearby creek. Bernice worked with each grandson to do art or enter projects from school in the Minnesota State Fair Education Division. All 5 won ribbons over the years and enjoyed working with grandma. 

Bernice and Warren also travelled to many European countries (usually without hotel reservations), especially enjoying Sweden, Norway, Germany and East Germany after the fall of the Berlin wall. They looked for rooms in homes, often listed at small town police stations. They also enjoyed driving to visit friends and family in the southern US, often stopping at botanical gardens and birding spots.

Friends and family were very important in Bernice’s life. She cherished her close friends, most of whom had similar interests. She loved the Swedish family reunions of her mother’s sisters and brothers each summer in Isle, Minnesota and the Horazdovsky gatherings on Snail Lake. 

We are grateful for the excellent and loving care Bernice has received in the last two years at the Friendship Home Community in Roseville. She thrived and became very attached to staff even as her health diminished. 

Bernice was an amazing mom, grandma, friend and neighbor. She opened her heart and home to many and made everyone feel welcome. Her joyous reunion with Warren and dear friends will make heaven sing. 

Bernice is survived by daughter, Conni Strait (Bill), son, Dr. Brent Elert (Jeanne) and 5 wonderful grandsons: Reid and Kyle Strait and Alex, Matthew and Eric Elert.