Bernice M. Granstrom

   Bernice M. Granstrom of Stratford, Iowa, formerly of Sioux City passed away on Wednesday, December 26th at Stratford Specialty Care in Stratford, Iowa.

   A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, December 31^st at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel, (3220 Stone Park Boulevard) in Sioux City with Pastor Tom LoVan officiating. There will be no visitation. Burial will be at a later date to be determined by the family. Online condolences can be expressed at www.meyerbroschapels.com 

   Bernice was born on February 21, 1923 in rural Mapleton, Iowa to Irvin and Lula (Dorale) Bartels. She was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith and attended Country School.

   She was united in marriage to Walter Kuhlmann in 1941. Walt and Bernice were blessed with three boys: Wayne, Beryl, and Byron. The couple would continue to live in the Mapleton area moving a few more times before settling in Carroll where they would raise their three boys. Having an entrepreneurial spirit, Bernice found her niche when she purchased an existing business in Carroll, "The Corner Inn", which was a restaurant/bar that provided live entertainment on the weekends. In 1974, after selling "The Corner Inn" in 1973, she joined her husband in Southern California where he had relocated to, sometime before. They would ultimately make their home in Lake Elsinore, California. 

   While living in and working in the Lake Elsinore area, Bernice, would once again follow her heart to become an Aficionado of raising A.K.C. poodles, from Tea Cup size to miniature size. After the passing of her husband, Walt, in 1988 Bernice made her way back to Iowa and made her home in Sioux City, where she would become employed at Walmart.

   During these years as a widow, Bernice would spend some of her free time dancing at the "Eagles Club" in South Sioux City, where she met her second husband, Wendell Granstrom. They married and continued their life together in Sioux City, and traveled to Southern California in the winters in their RV. After Wendell's passing, Bernice continued to keep herself busy by volunteering at the local Senior Center, dancing, crocheting beautiful afghans and many sundry of creative items.

   Bernice would then move to Omaha to be with her youngest son and his wife. Eight months ago, her health declining, the family moved her to Stratford, Iowa to be near family. She did enjoy most of her past several months, and was able to have some equality time with her sister, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Bernice loved her family loved laughing, loved dancing, crocheting and loved the color purple. In other words, Bernice was full of love!

   Bernice was a faithful member of Morningside Lutheran Church in Sioux City. 

   Although we all knew that at 95 years of age, her time here with us was limited, we are going to have a shadow in our hearts, as we adjust to her absence in our life.

   Bernice is survived by her sister Eileen Petersen of Ogden Iowa; daughters-in-law, Linda Kuhlmann, of Fort Dodge and June Kuhlmann of Ralston, Nebraska; five grandchildren and their spouses; Scott and Julie Kuhlmann of Fort Dodge, Iowa, Troy and Stephanie Kuhlmann of Washington State, Rachael and Sean Huens of Fort Dodge, Iowa, Tonya and Todd Pleggenkuhle of Springdale, Arkansas, and Travis Kuhlmann of Ralston, Nebraska, 14 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. 

   She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Walter Kuhlmann, and Wendell Granstrom, her three sons, Wayne, Beryl, and Byron, and her brother Glenn Bartels.

   A special thank you to the staff at Stratford Specialty Care and to Hospice.