Bernice Walton

Bernice Ann Marie Walton (Anderson) died peacefully in her home on April 6, in Bismarck, ND, at the age of 92 after living a full, productive, and meaningful life.

Bernice was born in Williston, ND, to Geneva (Westgard) Anderson and Walter Anderson on July 28, 1930 in Williston. She attended school in Williston and graduated in 1948. She married Ray Walton on August 28, 1949 in Williston. While Ray attended Law School she initially worked at Minot State College and later on at Williston State College as bookstore manager. She had a passion for gardening and worked at Hoskins Meyer Floral Shop in Bismarck.

Bernice had a knack for cooking and is well-known for her amazing lefsa and sour dough chocolate cake. She was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Cross in Bismarck and enjoyed bible study and volunteering for her church family by making communion bread, alter banners, and writing out greeting cards. She loved to travel and was able to visit many parts of the East Coast that she had always dreamed of seeing with her daughters and granddaughter. Her biggest pet peeve was that technology moved too fast to keep up and that it created a barrier to personal conversation between people. Bernice was a class act, engaging in shenanigans and banter with her daughters and most anyone that knew her. She was a faithful wife, devoted mother, steadfast friend and fun travel companion.

Bernice is survived by her daughters, Karin Walton (Ken Hursh) Grand Forks, ND, Beth Ann Walton (Tony Albright) Harshaw, WI, Jean (Walton) Schafer (Kelly) Bismarck, ND; son-in-law, William (Bill) Jahn; grandchildren, Melissa (Jahn) Milani (Jeremy) Nashua, NH, Kevin Jahn (Heather) stationed in Germany, Dana Geffre Grand Forks, ND, and Derek Geffre (Megan) Perry, IA; great-grandchildren, Zayne, Zavier, Geneva, Sage, Sylas, and Bella; great-great-granddaughter, Finleigh Ann; sisters, Jan (Anderson) Evingson, Minneapolis, MN, Donna (Anderson) Gale, Minneapolis, MN; six nephews and three nieces.

Bernice is predeceased by her mother, Geneva (Westgard) Anderson; father, Walter Anderson; oldest daughter, Cathy (Walton) Jahn; husband, Ray Walton; brother and sister-in-law, Duane and Donna Anderson; and brothers-in-law, Chuck Evingson and Jerry Gale.

Bernice’s daughters would like to thank the staff and chaplains at the Benedictine Living Community in Bismarck for their comforting words and care of Bernice over the past six years, Bismarck CHI-Health At Home for their amazing multidisciplinary hospice care for Bernice and family, and a very special thank you to Visiting Angels in Bismarck for providing daily home care with a tender approach, with special thanks to Jessica Lang who had a knack for knowing exactly what Bernice needed.