Bernice Renshaw, age 95, of Maple Plain, MN, formerly of Huron, SD, died Friday, February 8, 2013, at Haven Homes Nursing Home in Maple Plains. Her funeral service will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday, February 16, at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Huron with burial at Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery. Visitation with family present will be Friday, February 15, from 5-8 p.m. at Welter Funeral Home with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.; or Saturday morning one hour prior to the service at the church. Bernice Bertha Ida Renshaw was born in Garfield, MN, on October 18, 1917. She was one of 4 sisters and a brother born to Fred and Minnie (Ziegelmann) Passenheim. Bernice and her family moved to Huron, SD, when she was 3 years old. She attended Wilson Grade School and Huron Junior High School. She was confirmed on April 9, 1933, at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church by Rev. Joeckel. She was a choir member for over 20 years. Bernice met her husband, Archie, at a dance in Huron. Bernice and Archie were married on her birthday, October 18, 1936. It was a double wedding, joined by her sister, Esther and her husband, George Waldner. Bernice and Archie made their home on a farm near the Paul Miner Farm. There, she bore an only child, Frank, on February 13, 1938. The Great Drought forced them to leave the farm and Archie went to work with the U.S. Government Civil Service in March 1941 and was based in Panama Canal. Bernice and Frank joined him in September 1941. Bernice drove their car with Frank, sister Esther and her son, Vernon, all the way to New Orleans an put themselves and the car on the boat to Panama. She worked in a cafeteria that served the construction crews and she taught Sunday School at her church. Bernice returned with her family to Huron in December 1945 and rented a home at 875 Arizona SW. In 1948 she moved into a new home that Archie had built at 770 Montana SW. She was a clerk at the 8th & Arizona Grocery Store. She ran a nursery at her home for 15 years, and worked for Raven Industries making 18 footer parachutes & flare chute's. She welcomed her mother, Minnie, to live with her and Archie after Minnie's husband, Fred, passed away in his 72nd year. Her son, Frank, married Madaline Elenz of Woonsocket, SD, on July 1, 1961. Bernice was a hospital volunteer for over 18 years and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Choir. She had a tremendous gift for crafts of all kinds. She was a charter member of her church, Mt. Calvary Lutheran, and took care of the altar flowers for many years and delivered her special arrangements to the hospital and nursing home residents. Bernice was Mt. Calvary's oldest choir member in age and years of service before retiring when she was no longer able to bear the stairs to the choir loft. Bernice wanted her congregation to share in the joy and blessings that prayer brings into one's life and she donated a lighted picture frame of Jesus praying that is reverently displayed and noticed on the choir wall as ones exit the church to remind them to "pray always". She was always ready to volunteer when asked and always ready to befriend those in need that crossed her path. Her husband, Archie, passed away in August 1989. Bernice continued to live alone in her home alone for over 20 years spreading God's love everywhere until her health required more care in the Fall of 2010. After she and her son met with Dr. William Miner of Huron that Fall day, he recommended that she not be alone and she returned with her son to live with him and Madaline while she recovered from her illness and re-gained her health. She then went to live at the Huron Courtyard Apartments in the Spring of 2011 and her apartment was next to her older sister, Fern Klassen (God's Handiwork). Frank would call Bernice every evening to visit and share the happening of the day. She cherished the time that she shared with her sister, Fern, and the countless visits of her niece, Fern Marie Mattke. In the Spring of 2012 Bernice had a stroke which left her left-side motor skills severely compromised. Upon leaving the hospital she lived in the Sun Quest Regional Medical Center B-wing while she received her recovery treatment. In July 2012, her son transferred her to Haven Homes of Maple Plain Nursing Home, MN, so that he could have her close to him and her loved ones. She immediately endeared herself to all of the staff and she was blessed with many visitors. Just outside her windowed room Frank installed a Shepherds Hook with peanut and black oil seed feeders and a heated bird bath for the delight of the birds. A beautiful Welcome Sign stood in the midst of the birds Paradise. This was her daily cherished delight, to watch the birds come and enjoy the bounty of the Lord. Her son visited her every day and they enjoyed the birds, read scripture, and finished each visit praying the Lord's Prayer together in harmony. She was visited by befrienders, family, and many friends from Frank and Madaline' s church during her stay at Haven Homes. Her son, Frank, and his family celebrated Bernice's 95th birthday on October 18, 2012, in the Haven Homes Chapel and later on October 28 an Open House Celebration of Life for her 95th birthday was held in the Chapel and attended by many residents, relatives, family and friends. All of her family celebrated Christmas in her room on Christmas Day. Late January 2013 she began to get week and become ill. On Thursday, February 7, she was surrounded by her son and family that afternoon and evening as she patiently waited for her Lord and Savior, Jesus, to come for her and take her home to be with Him. As they waited, Frank held her hand and head as they gazed into each other's eyes sharing that heart felt silent "I Love You Mom/Son". She was anointed by Pastor Steve Ulrick at 11:30 PM and she was swept away in Jesus' arms at 12:30 AM on Friday morning, February 8, 2013. She is loved and will be deeply missed by her only child, a son, Frank Renshaw and wife Madaline of Plymouth, MN; 2 grandchildren, Kristin (Pat) Ann Renshaw Eichers of Independence, MN, and Steven (Manel) James Renshaw of Shoreview, MN; 5 great-grandchildren, Alexander Renshaw and Erin Renshaw, both of Shoreview, MN, and Madaline Eichers, Martin Eichers, and Christian Eichers, all of Independence, MN; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. Bernice loved her Lord dearly and her life was an expression of her love for Him. Mt. Calvary was her home on earth and she cherished every minute she was able to be there doing His work and caring for His own. Bernice's life was centered around daily prayer and scripture reading. She always drew close to her Jesus before retiring each evening and after rising each morning and she praised Him and honored Him through-out her daily journey. Two of her favorite hymns were "Jesus Loves Me" and "On Eagles Wings". Bernice touched countless lives during her time with us over the past 95 years. Bernice will be dearly missed by those lives she touched in her lifetime. We give thanks to God for His presence in Bernice and the opportunity to share in her goodness. With a grateful heart and In Christ's Love we thank everyone for your presence in our lives Her loving Son, Frank