Bernice Lee

Bernice was born on June 12, 1927 in Anson, Wis. to Merle (Pitsch) and Walter Gorton. She enjoyed growing up in Ruby, Wis., where her parents operated the Ruby Store. She often filled her pockets with gum and candy before getting on the bus for school. She moved with her family to Eau Claire in 1944, where she graduated from High School. She then went to work at the Eau Claire Phone Company as a telephone operator.

While at the movies with her brother Lyle, she met a man in uniform, Mr. Marvin Lee. They dated, fell in love and married. While employed at Uniroyal for 41 years, Marvin and Bernice gave their lives to Christ and raised a family together; two boys and two girls, always witnessing about the Lord. With 20 years of retirement they enjoyed themselves; motor homing, boating, motorcycling, friends, family and numerous pet poodles.

Bernice was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2000. She was a fighter to the end and has blasted through the clouds to her Heavenly Home in Glory.

Survivors include: two daughters, Robyn (Dwight) Makeeff of Eau Claire, Peggy (Paul) Tardo of Springfield, Mo.; five grandchildren, Jeramy Makeeff of Columbus, Ohio, Lisa (Heath) Jepsen of Eau Claire, Kimberly Makeeff of Eau Claire, Timothy Tardo of Springfield, Mo., Nathan Tardo of Jackson, Miss.; three great-grandchildren, Matthew Michael Walters of Madison, Jessica Lynn Makeeff of Eau Claire, James August Lee of Eau Claire and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by: her parents; her husband, Marvin Kermit Lee; two sons, Rodney Alan Lee and Christopher Marvin Lee; three brothers, Ellsworth, Lyle and Lee Gorton; one sister, Norma (Bud) Harrington.

We will all miss her presence with us. We will always remember her enthusiastic personality and wonderful sense of humor. Mother was a "firecracker" to the end.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, May 11 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel in Chippewa Falls with Pastor Jim Gale officiating. Interment will be in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens, town of Washington, Eau Claire County.

Friends may call one hour prior to the service Wednesday at the funeral chapel.

Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, Chippewa Falls is serving the Lee family.

Visit pedersonvolker.com to express online condolences.


SERVICE:

2 p.m., Wednesday, May 11, Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel

VISITATION:

1 - 2 p.m., Wednesday, May 11, Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel