Bernice Prete

Bernice E. Prete, 92, Hillsboro, ND, passed away Saturday, July 07, 2007 at the Hillsboro, ND Nursing Home. Bernice Ellen Bottens was born to Ernest and Lulu (Kesner) Bottens on April 15, 1915, on the family farm near Enid, MT. She grew up there, attended the Bottens School, and graduated from high school in Sidney, MT. Bernice then attended the Eastern Montana Normal School in Billings, MT. She returned to Sidney where she worked for the Hurley family for a time. Bernice E. Bottens married Frank J. Prete in Sidney, MT on January 9, 1936. They made their home in Lambert, MT until moving to Hunter, ND in 1937. Bernice was a homemaker and was a member of the Hunter Improvement Club homemakers and the Pod ?n Petal Garden Club as well as starting a Sewing Club for teen girls. Bernice was an accomplished seamstress. In 1969 the Pretes moved to Eldred, MN, and then to Crookston, MN in 1970. There, Bernice was a member of St. Bernadette Circle of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and the Polk County Homemakers Club, serving at one time as its president. She worked at the Stretch ?n Sew store. After retirement, the Pretes wintered in Mesa, AZ. Frank passed away in 1990. Bernice moved to Fargo in 1997 and lived there until coming to Hillsboro in 2005. Bernice is survived by her children: Dorothea McCallum, Mora, MN Sharon (Larry) Thompson, Hillsboro, ND Douglas Prete, Virginia Beach, VA Denice (George) Heiser, West Fargo, ND 12 Grandchildren 10 Great Grandchildren 5 Great Great Grandchildren one sister-in-law Dorothy Bottens, Vancouver, WA, and several nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death are her husband Frank, her parents, 5 brothers and sisters, and one son-in-law Daniel McCallum. Funeral 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 10, 2007 Wildeman Funeral Home Chapel Prayer Service 7:00 p.m. Monday July 9, 2007 Wildeman Funeral Home Visitation 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday and one hour before the funeral on Tuesday Interment Hunter Cemetery, Hunter, ND Arrangements entrusted to the care of Wildeman Funeral Home, Hillsboro, ND