Bernice Tessier
September 14, 1915 ~ June 27, 2012
Bernice Helene Tessier, age 96, Fargo, died at Bethany Retirement Living, Fargo, North Dakota on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 surrounded by family and under the care of Bethany and Hospice of the Red River Valley staff.
Bernice was born September 14, 1915 to Wilbrod and Josephine (Parent) Grandbois on their Wild Rice North Dakota homestead farm. She was raised on the family farm with 7 brothers and sisters, attended Prairie Grove School, and St. Benedict’s Church. On February 7, 1938 she married Andrew Tessier and moved to Fargo where she lived for until her death.
Bernice was a homemaker, a caring wife to Andrew for 70 years, a loving mother to her children and grandchildren. She was often in the kitchen preparing food, entertaining family, relatives and friends in her Fargo home and cabin on Rose Lake. Their Fargo home and the cabin often provided a temporary place to live for relatives, grandchildren and friends. Bernice was a member of St. Anthony’s Church, a volunteer at St. Vincent De Paul. Bernice was preceded in death by her parents, husband Andrew on August 24, 2008, brothers; Ronald, Clifford, Robert, Paul Grandbois, sisters; Albertine Tessier (Leon), Genevieve Denis (Alfonse) and son-in-law Wendell Keller.
Bernice is survived by 4 daughters, Jacqueline Carol Keller (Wendell), Colorado Springs, CO, Diane Bachmeier (Marvin), Crookston, MN, Renee Dulski (Bernie), Alexandria, MN, Sandy Tessier (Chuck Andersen), Denver, CO, 1 son, Gary Tessier (Peggy), Moorhead, MN, 12 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, 3 step great-grandchildren, 1 sister, Beatrice Ness (Bernie) and many nieces and nephews.
Bernice resided in Bethany Towers for 6 years and Bethany Nursing Home, for the past 5 years. During this time she was provided compassionate and loving care by the staff of Bethany Homes and Hospice of the Red River Valley, Fargo. The family extends sincere thanks to the entire staff, and prefers memorials in lieu of flowers to go to Hospice of the Red River Valley.
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Fargo ND
I and my husband Maurice, want to tell you how sorry we are that your mother had to leave you.
I remember how many times, as Renee and I were growing up, that we would play in your yard, and visit your mother, at work in her house. She was very warm and welcoming to me all the time. I thought so much of her caring for all the kids in the neighborhood.
San Diego, Ca.,. 92119 CaliforniaOn our visits to Fargo, we would stop
to see Bernice & Andrew at their home.
My wife Rose Marie, (Tessier) passed
away 3 years ago, so I am sending
this in her behalf as well…Our regrets
to the entire family for the loss of
Aunt Bernice….
Dan Ulland
San Diego, Ca.
Glendora CaliforniaPlease accept our condolences of the loss of your mom/grandmother. Our mom Rose Ulland ( Tessier ) was a neice of Bernice. Claire was a good friend of Rose & Dan Ulland. We know our mom Rose was there to meet Bernice at Heaven’s gate.
Love, Janet & Kevin Ulland
Coronado CAThe fond memories remain.
Fergus Falls MnGrandma
You are a great example of a hard work and giving. I have so many fond memories of family at the cabin. I will forever treasure all the time we had.
I was fortunate to be able to live with you when I went to school. I was lucky to have grandparents like you.
Love you always
Joel
Fargo N.D
.Bernice was a gracious woman. She had a refinement that was a study for her daughters. Perhaps her French ancestry gave her a special presence. Or, her parents were the models for her generous life. I didn’t know her well but such a lovely person!
Marilyn D. West
Des Moines WAGrandma,
You will be missed by your loving family. You and Grandpa have taught everyone around you about hard work and dedication to family. Angie and I have our best memories as children playing for hours in the lake, catching fish with Grandpa, and then deciding we wouldn’t eat those adorable fish we caught and you graciously always cooked us somthing else we could eat. You provided an inviting place at your home and the cabin for the cousins to grow closer, long fun nights of campfires, board games, and of course late night dips in the lake. We all will miss this time we had with you and Grandpa at the cabin, for these were some of the best years of all of our lives, but I am grateful you are at peace and will get to join Granpa once again in heaven.
xoxo Ashley Rusnak and Family (Mark and Cole)
Bernice raised a great family. She was warm and inclusive, making all who visited feel like family. She gave a spiritual graceful embrace to family friends. I wonder what the world would be like if all children were fortunate enough to have parents like Bernice and Andrew. I am so pleased that she has such a large family to carry on her superb qualities. She made the world a better place.
Plymouth MN
I have so many fond memories of going to Grandma and Grandpa Tessier’s house in Fargo as a child and enjoying many summer days at the Cabin on Rose Lake. Because of Grandma (and Grandpa) I am grateful that we are able to continue to enjoy the paradise of Rose Lake with our kids (a little slice of heaven on earth).
I remember Grandma making sure that everyone was provided for and all had plenty of food to eat. Grandma, you had a heart of a servant always putting the needs of others above your own. I am thankful for all the wonderful times we shared.
As you join Grandpa in heaven I imagine the Lord welcoming you as stated in Matthew 25:21 “Well done, my good and faithful servant”. I love you Grandma!
Brian
Grandma, you embodied the definitions of gracious, loving, caring, patient, and kind and I am so proud that you are my grandma. I miss you terribly but it brings me much peace that you have finally reunited with grandpa in heaven.
I am forever grateful to you and grandpa for countless summers at Rose Lake as Rose Lake is my most favorite and cherished place in the world and it is all because of you and grandpa. I’ll never forget your dedication to your family and making sure everyone had something to eat especially your tirelessly cooking in the tiny cabin kitchen in 90 degree plus humidity heat!
Your beautiful soul I will carry with me forever and here I don’t want say goodbye because goodbye seems so final so instead, I say farewell and in my heart your memory and love will forever be. I love you grandma. Be at peace.
“Where there is love there is life”.
-Gandhi
rochester indto my dear cousins, I want to widh my deepest heart felt thought inthe passing of your Mom. I only met you mom and dad in the 1950’s at Rose Lake. Your mom and dad made us feel so right at home. Our Dad, Robert always talked in highest regards of your mom, i think he always missed her and was very cheerful after talking to her on the phone.. God be with you all in these tearful times.
joel
Raleigh NCMy Aunt Bernice was what is known in the current vernacular as a force of nature. At our age when one looks back at her effect and affect on our lives, I wish we of the family would have had two or three more truly Christian ladies bestowed with simple elegance such as she to help us raise our own broods. She and, of course, Andy were true models of what is is to be a
caring, giving, upright person.
Minneapolis MN
I have so many fond memories of aunt Bernice. I’m thankful for her kindness and generousity, for all the good times at Rose Lake and all those wonderful meals she cooked for us.
I can still see her with her sisters and my mother at Rose Lake chatting and laughing together. I can still see her and uncle Andrew dancing at their granddaughter’s wedding. They were the cutest couple ever!
And I envision all of them chatting, laughing and dancing once again.
Thank you aunt Bernice
Gettysburg PAOn behalf of the Past/Keller family, please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss. We all have wonderful memories of Bernice at Rose Lake. It seemed to me that she was always cooking, while Andy was always out in the boathouse (the 1960’s equivalent of today’s “man-cave”) either getting ready to go fishing or cleaning the fish for the next meal. Their lake house always seemed so full of life with many visiting family members. The Kellers and Tessiers were also neighbors in Fargo and my mother, Virginia, remembers babysitting for Bernice. We both remember the many spirited evening card games on the porch at Rose Lake. May your memories and the shared memories of others comfort you during this time of sorrow.
Marilyn Past
Some of my best childhood memories were the times I spent at the Tessier’s Rose Lake cottage. There was always a concentration of energy in the kitchen and Bernice was the source. She made sure everyone was well fed and comfortable. It seemed she had unlimited strength and vigor. Bernice never stopped working in her loving support of the extended family.
Her kindness and selfless sacrifice was noticed by all.
Thanks for all the great memories Grandma.
Greg
Englewood COHello Aunt Bernice, I hope you are enjoying your special place in heaven. How is Uncle Andy doing? You and Uncle Andy are two of the warmest spirits I have ever known. Thank you for being part of my life. I smile at the thought of you getting back together for eternity.
I never got to thank you and Uncle Andy for all the great times at Rose Lake. My memories of Rose Lake reunions are some of the best memories of my life. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I love you and will cherish your memory forever.
Manhattan Beach CaliforniaDear Jacqueline,
I was so pleased to read about your mom’s life a great aunt I never knew. Her brother Robert was my grandfather his daughter Roberta (Bobbi) is my mom.
May God’s comforting grace surround you and fill every cell of your grieving bodies to soften the void you feel right now. Praise God that your mom is at home with Jesus now and with all the family members who preceded her. What a joy it will be for me to one day meet the generations of relatives I have never known.
God bless you,
Natalie
Garfield MN
Grandma you were such a loving,caring woman for everyone & you raised your own childern to be the same way. I loved that I was so lucky to spend all summer with you and grandpa at Rose Lake. So many great memories have been made at Rose Lake, thanks to you & grandpa. You will be miss so much. I love you RIP
One of your granddaughters, Andrea
Thanks for all the wonderful times we have had and continue to have at Rose Lake! Bernice (Grandma) and Andrew (Grandpa) always had the door to the cabin (and home) open for everyone to come and enjoy. You will remain in our hearts always. God’s peace and blessing to you as you join Andrew (Grandpa) in your heavenly home!
Bemidji Minnesota
Our deepest sympathy to Bernice’s family at this time of loss and rememberance. I have heard so much about Bernice from Diane for so many years, I feel as though I know her well. God bless you all. Tom and Alice Thompson
Mesa AZ
To the family of Bernice Tessier. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you.
Bernice was in our church chircle at St. Anthony’s for many years and we were close neighbors when we lived on 7th Ave S in Fargo. We winter in AZ
for the winter and come back to Frago for the summer. Yes, your Mom was a caring person, good baker and cook and a kind person. May she rest in peace with the Lord and joing her husband in heaven with the Lord>
We love you thanks for all the great memories especially at Rose Lake! RIP with Grandpa in heaven.
Tim
Whiting IndianaOn behalf of the children of Robert and Arlene Grandbois thank you and your lovely parents for the best times of our childhood while at Rose Lake. Beautiful summer days fishing, finding loons, meeting cousins, helping Uncle Roland negotiate the walkway, swinging in the hammock at The Ness’s and the fun in the boathouse.
I found a saying years later that applied to the Tessier welcome “when there is love in the house, the walls are elastic”.
God keep you in his loving embrace during your grief.
Susan
Roberta
Joel
Janice (deceased)
Catherine
David
Marian
Mark
Mary
MONTCLAIR CALIF.A MOST GRATIOUS LADY,WHO WAS MORE THAN KIND TO ALL WHO MET HER.
IT WILL BE DIFFICULT TO REPLACE HER, IN THE SPACE THAT SHE LEAVES IN OUR LIVES.
OUR MOST SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO ALL THE FAMILY.
LOVE TO ALL,
DUANE AND ROSEANN
St. Anthony Village Minnesota
Before having her own family, Aunt Berneice took special care of me, and continued into my grown up life.
Along with Uncle Andrew, Berneice made their lake cottage available for our extended honeymoon along with later vacations for us and family.
Marlene and I were especially honored when we were choosen to be their son, Gary’s, Godparents.
Berneice was a very caring person to everyone she meet.
She will continue to be remembered in our Prayers.
David “Alan” and Family,
Aunt Bernice was a dear woman and I am sad to hear of her passing. I remember her working away at Rose lake to cook and clean for the troops, and if it was an extremely hot day, she might even go down to the lake to cool off. I cherished the huge dinners at Rose Lake, platters of sunnies and northern pike passed around as we shared Andy’s fishing luck and Bernices great cooking. The days were long, and she suffered all of us children with grace and a sweet smile. I will always remember her smile. May she rest in eternal peace.
Highland CAAunt Berniece was the motherly type of woman and she always made you feel like her home was your home maybe because she was always trying to feed you. She was a special person, so sweet and lovely. She was so beautiful in face and personality, someone to admire. Even though I moved from Fargo when I was only 10 I remember I liked her a lot. I remember she was the quietest of the four sisters. She was genuinely kind and caring. She will be greatly missed by family, friends, and anyone who ever knew her.
In loving memory of Aunt Berniece God’s newest angel.
Teri Denis Plowy