E. Bernice von der Linde

E. Bernice von der Linde, 82, of Mason City, died Friday, March 23, 2007 at Good Shepherd Health Care Center. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Monday, March 26, 2007 at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., with the Rev. Jim Magelssen officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00 PM ? 2:00 PM Monday at Major Erickson Funeral Home. Interment will be at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the E. Bernice von der Linde Memorial Fund. Bernice was born July 17, 1924 in Mason City the last of five children of Mads Peter and Christine (Pedersen) Madsen, immigrants from Denmark. She graduated from Mason City High School in 1942 and was employed by Northwestern Bell as a switchboard operator. She was married to Elmer E. von der Linde in 1945 and they celebrated 58 years together. The focus of her early years was caring for her six children. Her experience at the telephone switchboard served her well, as she began a career with Answer Iowa in 1964 and retired as manager in 1986. Bernice enjoyed gardening, reading, and cooking. She had a lovely soprano voice and liked to sing and harmonize. She also enjoyed socializing with friends and spending time with her grandchildren. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Moose Lodge, and the VFW Ladies Auxillary. Bernice is survived by 5 daughters: Kay Taylor and Gib Ahlstrand of Minneapolis, MN, Mary Amos and her husband John of Clear Lake, Becky Koretoff and her husband Brett of Fallbrook, CA, Jean Stumme and her husband Kendall of Burt, IA, and Lori Quinlan and her husband Tom of Mason City; One son: Allen von der Linde of Mason City; two grandsons: Matthew Amos and wife Nicolle of Clear Lake and Nathan Stumme of Burt; one granddaughter: Cassandra Nelson of El Centro, CA and one great granddaughter: Olivia Amos of Clear Lake. She was preceded in death by her husband Elmer in 2003, her parents; one sister: Marie Ashland; and three brothers: Carl, Harvey, and Christian Madsen.

Visitation:
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue on March 26, 2007 (map/driving directions) 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue on March 26, 2007 (map/driving directions)

Service:
2:00 PM at 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue on March 26, 2007 (map/driving directions)