Obituaries

Bernice Margaret Roedel, of Reese, Michigan, was called home to Heaven on Saturday, April 14, 2018, after suffering a severe stroke seven days prior. She was 92.

Bernice was born Aug. 26, 1925, in Richville, the oldest daughter of Arthur and Hedwig Maurer.

Raised on a dairy farm with five siblings, Bernice, who attended St. Michael’s Lutheran School, spent many childhood days mushroom hunting, wild berry and flower picking, going to the movies, church picnics, roller skating, and ice skating —almost always with her little sister, Eleanor, at her side.

Years later, while working at Rummel Photo Studio in Frankenmuth, Bernice first met her soul mate, Waldo Roedel, who she began dating in 1948. Two years later, on June 4, 1950, they were married.

Bernice and Waldo made a home on a dairy farm planted outside of Reese, Mich., where they raised four sons (and farmhands), Michael, Martin, Eric and Elroy. Foster parents for many children over many years, Bernice and Waldo adopted a daughter, Jeanna, and a son, William. A devout Christian with unflinching faith in God, Bernice taught her children to pray at an early age — in English and German — and was heavily involved in the church. She was a member of the St. Michael’s Mary Martha Guild, volunteered at a Bethesda Thrift Shop, and started the church’s meals following funeral services. She even served as editor of “Frankenhilf Favorites” cookbook.

Bernice loved working with her hands, whether she was tending to her fruitful garden, preparing bountiful meals (with homemade applesauce, fresh bread slices, roasted pork and sauerkraut being staples), sewing blankets and quilts, or kneading the dough of her famous bread, pretzels and stollen. She passed these hard-working traits — and recipes — onto her grandchildren whenever they visited. Hoeing fields. Sewing. Polka dancing. Making rosettes. Playing Euchre. Bernice taught them all of these things and more. Above all, she taught her children and grandchildren — and many who were lucky enough to enter her life — how to be self-sufficient, to not sweat the small stuff, and to make the most of what God provides us.

Warm-hearted and compassionate, Bernice truly put Jesus and others before herself. She told vivid stories with great enthusiasm and wit and filled the room with laughter, and she was always ready with a song.

Left to cherish Bernice’s memory are her husband and Euchre partner of 67 years, Waldo Roedel; children, Michael (Patricia) of Vassar, Eric (Janet) of Reese, Elroy (Deb) of Loyal, WI, Jeanna of Bartow, FL, William (Jennifer) of Bay City; daughter-in-law Karen of Livonia, MI; siblings, Harold (Ruth) of Frankenmuth, Eleanor Krafft of Frankenmuth, Harvey (Marie) of Reese, sister-in-law Claudia Maurer of Curtis, MI; 19 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren and counting, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Bernice was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Hilton and Harlan, many in-laws, and son, Martin, who undoubtedly greeted his mother at Heaven’s gates with a beaming smile that mirrored hers.

Bernice’s life will be celebrated at noon on Tuesday, April 17 at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, 3455 S. Van Buren Rd. in Richville. A visitation will start at 10 a.m. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Richville or the Saginaw Valley Lutheran Hour Fund.

Kindly keep the Roedel and Maurer families in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. Bernice will be greatly missed by the many people she touched and influenced. You are forever in our hearts, Bernice.

Cremation and Memorial Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Ware-Smith-Woolever Funeral Directors, 9940 Saginaw St. Reese, MI.

Previous Events