Bernice Jonette Chrisinger, age 99, of Blair passed away on Friday, October 23, 2015 in the Grand View Care Center in Blair.

Bernice was born February 22, 1916 at home in Trump Coulee, rural Blair to Henry M. and Mabel (Austad) Solberg. She married Richard M. Chrisinger on December 5, 1942 in Blair. Richard preceded Bernice in death on May 13, 1987.

Bernice was baptized in the Trempealeau Valley Lutheran Church in rural Taylor and confirmed and married in the Zion Lutheran in Blair. Bernice and Richard transferred to the Trempealeau Valley Lutheran Church in 1960.

Bernice served as president for the WELCA many times and held other church offices. She was on the church council and served on many of the improvement committees and was also a member of the cemetery board.

Bernice was a 1934 graduate of the Taylor Union Free High School. In September of 1936 she entered the Milwaukee Accredited School of Cosmetology. Bernice worked in Greenwood, Cashton, Viroqua and Black River Falls prior to her marriage. She also held the Minnesota State License.

After her marriage, Bernice and Richard farmed for 21 years near Taylor and Blair and spent four years in the ore mines of Minnesota. They lived in Blair since 1979. Bernice and Richard built a new house in 1982 and after his death she remained there until 2003 when she decided to go to an apartment. Then when apartment living was not for her, Bernice purchased a home on East Broadway in Blair.
Bernice and Richard traveled throughout the whole United State and Canada and made two trips to Alaska and Mexico.

As a teenager, Bernice was a 4-H member and Girl Scout. She loved music and dancing and played the saxaphone in high school and in the Village Band. Bernice also played many duets in the local rural school community programs.

In addition to her farm work, Bernice also worked in the spring for the Whitehall florist. She was an employee of the Green Meadow Supper Club for four years as an assistant chef, fry cook and buffet attendant. She also helped as a cook at Grand View Care Center in Blair.

Bernice enjoyed gardening, canning and raising baby chickens. Her flower garden included raising hybrid irises. She liked to compete at fairs and the Blair Egg & Cheese festival with flowers and bake goods and received many blue ribbons.

Bernice took night classes in Spanish, furniture re-finishing and reupholstering, rosemalling and oil painting.

For five years, Bernice belonged to the Sons of Norway Lodge in Black River Falls and 19 years with the Fossen Lodge in Blair. She was the food coordinator for the lodge for many years.

Bernice was also a seamstress not only for herself but for others. She liked game shows and was a crossword puzzle nut.

Bernice is survived by 2 sisters-in-law, Roberta Chrisinger of Fairfax, VA and Marion Solberg of Blair; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to her parents and husband, Bernice was preceded in death by two brothers, Harvey Solberg of Blair and Kenneth Solberg of Wisconsin Rapids; all of her uncles and aunts on both sides, many cousins, three brothers–in–law, Leonard Chrisinger of El Paso,TX, Harold Chrisinger of Aitkin,MN and Ed Chrisinger of Fairfax,VA; five sisters-in-law, Alice Chrisinger of Redwing,MN, Iva Butcher of Aitkin,MN, Eva Chrisinger of Aitkin,MN, Helen Chrisinger of El Paso, TX and Orcelia Solberg of Wisconsin Rapids.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 27, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. in the Trempealeau Valley Lutheran Church with burial in the church cemetery both in rural Taylor. Pastor Benjamin Ahles-Iverson will officiate.

Friends may call one hour prior to the service.

Memorials may be designated to the Trempealeau Valley Lutheran Church.

The Jack Funeral Home in Blair is assisting the family with arrangements.