Bernice Elizabeth Klahr, 99, of Kenyon, died Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at Reflections Care Suites by Three Links.
She was born July 4, 1925 in Hampton Township, just south of New Trier, the daughter of Michael and Amelia (Yetzer) Braun. She was the second child of this great family of 11. On September 14, 1949 Bernice married Merlin "Bud" Klahr at St. Mary's Catholic Church in New Trier. The couple farmed south of Cannon Falls where their three children were born. In March of 1958 they moved to the GT Norswing farm in rural Nerstrand where they farmed together for 19 years. Upon retiring from farming in 1977 they purchased their first home in Kenyon. Bernice began a day care center in their home and became "Grandma" to many in the Kenyon area which led to being invited to many graduations and weddings over the years.
In the short number of years between retiring and Bud's passing in 1993 they enjoyed camping and winters in Florida as well as a trip out west to Oregon and Las Vegas. The biggest highlight of their travels was a two-month trip to Alaska.
At age 69, she made her family proud by obtaining her driver's license which was a big accomplishment. She was determined to drive to watch her grandchildren play ball and to visit her brothers and sisters in Hastings. Bernice was an active member of St. Michael's Catholic Church. She enjoyed decorating the bulletin boards, working funeral lunches, preparing altar flowers, preparing for Mass every Sunday and making patch work quilts and lap robes to be donated to those in need.
She is survived by her daughter, Charlotte Musgjerd of Grand Chute, WI; sons, Michael (and Shelley) Klahr of Kenyon, Bob (and Cheryl) Klahr of Kenyon; grandchildren, Amelia, Angela, Matthew; great grandchildren, Kamira, Garrett, Chase, Macey, Oakley; brothers, Vincent Braun, Leo Braun; sisters in law, Mary Braun, Mary Ann Roeder; brother in law, Richard Gelhar and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Merlin Klahr; sisters, Junilla, Jeanne, Norah, Rita, Collette; brothers, Edward, John, Tom; sisters in law, Bernice Estrem and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home, Kenyon on Tuesday from 4pm to 7pm and at St. Michael's Catholic Church on Wednesday from 9:30am to 10:30am. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at 10:30am at St. Michael's Catholic Church. Interment will be in the St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery in Kenyon. Memorials are preferred to St. Michael’s Catholic Church or St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery.
