Bernice LeDoux

bernice ledoux

Bernice LeDoux, of Fargo ND, died Sunday December 30th, at Sanford’s Palliative Care Unit in Fargo at the age of 80. She passed away as she lived, gently and gracefully, surrounded by her loving family and assisted to the end by the caring staff at Palliative Care.

She was born Bernice Catherine Vosen on November 14th, 1932 to her parents Hubert and Johanna Vosen, in Pierz, MN.  She grew up with her four brothers and her sister in Little Falls, MN, which is also where she was educated. Later on, she was employed at the Little Falls bakery. It was during this time that she met and began dating her future husband, Murile (Duke) LeDoux, who had just returned from military service in Europe. Soon after their marriage in 1953, Duke was offered, and he accepted, a job with the Fargo Fire Dept. It is in Fargo where they would take root and raise a family of 6 children together.

Her gifts as a wife and mother were numerous, not the least of which were her comfort food skills. Pheasant dinner will never be the same without her, not to mention her many pasta salads, baked beans and potato salad to name a few. Try as we might, we can’t seem to duplicate any of her recipes. Nor can we exactly duplicate her endless capacity to listen without interrupting, to advise without judging.  The LeDoux home on 8th Ave North always seemed to have a head count of more than just Bernice’s 6 kids, because “Mrs. LeDoux” made sure the kids in the neighborhood knew they were welcome.

Sometime after raising her family, Bernice went to work as Site Director at the Fargo High Rise Senior Center. The residents of the high rise soon became her extended family and she treated them as such for over 30 years, not retiring until March of this year. Though she cared for them all, she was particularly dedicated to the downtrodden, less fortunate and those with special needs, whether those needs were temporary or permanent. On more than one occasion, Bernice excused herself from family gatherings to “head down to the high rise” because somebody needed her help. Whether it was helping an elderly resident with her eye drops or giving someone a ride to the pharmacy, or just lending an ear to someone with a problem, she truly lived her life serving others. Her gift from God and her gift to others was her boundless compassion.

When she wasn’t tending to her “families” Bernice especially enjoyed her summer weekends at Lake 7, near Vergas, MN. She loved to read and relax, and especially loved watching her grandchildren enjoy all the pleasures of that wonderful, peaceful place.

Through it all, Bernice lived and loved, as someone once said, “not in the big capital-letter sense, but in the every-day, little by little, task by task, gesture by gesture, word by word.”

Bernice is survived by her loving husband of nearly 60 years, Duke LeDoux, as well as her children and their spouses, Mike (Mikki) LeDoux. Bill (Kathy) LeDoux, Jim (Val) LeDoux, Dan (Chrissie) LeDoux, Jeff (Becky) LeDoux, and Jeannie (Jamie) Lavelle, her other “son” Steve (Jane) Conlin and 17 adoring and adored grandchildren. She also leaves behind her brothers Harvey (Rita) Vosen and Juni Vosen, sister Jeanne (Terry) Luff, and sisters-in law Margaret Vosen,  Sue Vosen and numerous nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Bobby Vosen  and Frank Vosen, sisters-in-law Lorraine Vosen,  Addie Vosen and Barb Sather, nephew Patrick Vosen, and niece Laura Linnerud.

The LeDoux family would like to give thanks to the many caring individuals at Rosewood on Broadway. We are especially grateful to Sanford Health, particularly it’s Palliative Care Unit for the extraordinary comfort they provided Bernice and her family in her final days.

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  1. Fargo, ND
    Duke & family,

    So sorry we weren’t able to attend due to illness. We’ll both miss Bernice terribly. What a great lady and a great friend. There are so many fond memories, but the best are of family times shared at Lake 7.
    God bless and keep you all.

    Muff & Linda

  2. Omaha NEDear Bill and Family:
    I am so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing, and loved the tribute that was written. I do remember your Mom and a kind and gentle person, and saw that in you all as well.

    There is an old saying “Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.’ Your love for your Wife/Mother/Grandmother will never be taken away from you.

    Thoughts and prayers are with you all.

    Colleen (Dwyer) Tuff

  3. Fargo ND
    Sorry for your loss. Your Mom was a great Lady. She will be missed.
    Again Our Condolences.
    Pat & Kitty Croal

  4. Fargo ND
    Dear LeDoux Family,
    Please accept my condolences on the loss of your mother. I remember how proud she was of her children and how interested she was in your activities. Her obituary was a beautiful tribute to her. I hope at this sad time you can find comfort and joy in each other.
    You are in my thoughts and prayers.

  5. Bismarck ND
    LeDoux family. My heartfelt sympathy to all of you. She was a beautiful woman and we can all be appreciative of how lucky we were to grow up in a neighborhood with so many of us having parents like Bernice & Duke. What a wonderful world they provided for us in that 8th Ave and 11th Street neighborhood.

    Debbie Ouellette Kroshus

  6. Fargo Bernice will always be remembered for going above and beyond for the people she worked with. She was truly dedicated to making their lives better. I enjoyed working with her and learning from her compassion for people.

  7. Lakeville MN
    My thoughts are with you as you mourn the loss of your wife, mother and grandmother. What a caring and passionate life she led! She will be missed…

  8. Fargo ND
    Leoux Family,

    May God be with each of you as you mourn your beloved Mother & Grandmother who is now at peace.

  9. Valley City ND
    Uncle Duke, Mike, Bill, Jim, Dan, Jeff, Jeannie and Families,

    May it give you comfort during this difficult time to know Aunt Bernice is safely in the hands of the Lord. Actually I know Mom greeted her at the Pearly Gates!!!! You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

    Sending Much Love and Sympathy,
    Darlene (Sather), Don, Chelsey, Evan and Samuel Fiebiger

  10. Dickinson ND
    Bernice just had that calming way about her, coupled with a soft spoken wit that often was overrun by young men and the rumble of roaring Lake 7 campfires. Wonderful that you are all together with and for her, and sure she is smiling big on all of you today and everyday. Be well Duke and Company, your in my thoughts and prayers.

  11. fargo MDi had the pleasure of knowing bernice from the fargo high rise she was like a mom to me many times i had no food or money to eat in the dinning room she would have me help her in the kitchen in order to eat she was a kind careing mom she was like a mother to me she was very gracious sweet and kind and loveing to all at the high rise a lot will miss her i am so sorry for your loss to let you know your wife and mother was a wonderfull amazeing lady.. god bless you all. sandy smith

  12. Fargo ND
    My sympathy to Duke, Jeanne, all the “boys”, and the entire family. I have precious memories of Bernice and her warmth, love, gentleness and patience. Growing up, Bernice was like a second mother to me and always made me feel welcome in her home and at the lake. She is truly an angel of God.

  13. Fargo ND
    Mr. Ledoux and all the Family. I would like to express deepest condolences to the Family on your loss! What a pleasure it has been for my family to share treasured time at Shanley with all the Ledouxs. May the good Lord give you grace and solace.
    Dan

  14. Billings MTBernice lived life as she wanted and did it with wonderful grace & love. She will be missed by so many individuals who shared her life with her. Fly free Beice.

  15. WIshek North Dakota
    I and my girls are sending our deepest sympathies to you Jeanie and Mike and your entire family. I remember all the kindness your mother has shown me over the years since elementary school at St. Mary’s, all four years of high school and the short time I lived at the Fargo High Rise. SHe has shown me such great friendship when we saw each other on the street and where ever it may be since I moved out of the high Rise. She most definetly was one to show individuals no matter who they were that they had a friend in her and that the world was a great place to be.
    I think of you all so often. Try to remember you will all have your wonderful and precious memories that you all share.
    I hope and pray that I can be half the women your mother was. Her memory will live on forever in my memories of her and your entire family.
    I know she is helping all the individuals now up in heaven.
    Rest in Peace Bernice!
    Karen Willey Friese

  16. billings mtWhat does one say about the most special person they have ever known. My sister you will live in my heart for eternity. You are one special lady. My love to you always.

  17. Thoughts and prayers with you Duke and the entire family. You have a special Angel in heaven watching over you. Take comfort in knowing she will always be with you!
    Kathy Carbno

  18. Uncle Duke and family,

    Thinking of you and praying for you during this difficult time.

    May time bring peace.


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