Bernita Lillian Ness

Bernita Lillian Ness, age 85 of Buffalo City, WI passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 23, 2015 at the American Lutheran Home, Mondovi. She was born on April 11, 1930 in the Town of Waumandee, Buffalo County a daughter to Elmer and Elsie (Schreiber) Doebbert. She attended Oak Valley 8 graded school in rural Waumandee before attending and graduating from Cochrane High School. On September 24, 1949, Bernita was united in marriage to Leslie Ness at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Fountain City. To this union, three children were born. Bernita, along with her husband, farmed in Lee Valley in the Town of Modena. While farming with her husband, Bernita was a member of the Modena Lutheran Church, serving as the church organist, Sunday school teacher and Sunday school superintendent. She was also the leader of the Sisson 4-H club and in 1973 was a delegate to the American Mother’s Association. In 1976, Bernita and her husband relocated to Buffalo City. It was at this time that Bernita continued her education and attended and graduated from Winona State University. She also took up membership as a faithful and devoted member of St. John Lutheran Church in Alma, where she served as Sunday school teacher and superintendent and participated in the W-ELCA Altar guild and quilter’s group. Bernita was proud to have started and to have led the Lucky Rainbow 4-H club. Bernita was employed as both a long term and short term substitute teacher at C-FC schools. In her later years, she volunteered at the school and at Wings Over Alma. For over 30 years, Bernita served on the Buffalo County Fair Board of Directors serving as Secretary/Treasurer. She served on the Buffalo County Board of Supervisors and was a County representative on the Winding Rivers Library Board. Bernita is survived by her daughter, Christine Ness of Menomonie and her son, David Ness of Alma; brother in law, Lloyd Grotjahn; sister in laws, Patricia Ness and Karen Doebbert; also by nieces, nephews and friends. Besides her parents, Bernita was preceded in death by her husband, Leslie; a son, Steven; three sisters, Erma Jost, Lela Mueller and Ruby Grotjahn along with her two brothers, Donald and Ervin Doebbert. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 28, 2015 at 11:00 AM at St. John Lutheran Church, Alma with Pastor Joel Bacon officiating. Burial will follow at Lyster Lutheran Church, Town of Nelson, Buffalo County. A visitation will be held on Monday, April 27 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the Talbot Family Funeral Home, Alma Chapel and again at the church on Tuesday from 10:00 AM until the hour of the service. Please share your memories or express your sympathies at www.talbotfuneralhomes.com