Bernice C Guerten

MADISON-Bernice C. Guerten, age 78, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 7, 2013, surrounded by her family at Agrace HospiceCare. She was born on Aug. 7, 1934 in LaFarge, later moving to Owen. Bernice was the daughter of Claire and Agnes (Klister) Southworth. After graduation from high school in Owen, she worked for GTE, later transferring to Madison. She married William F. Guerten on Oct. 7, 1967, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Madison. Once her children were born, she stayed at home and raised them. When they were older, she worked for Madison Metropolitan School District as a special education assistant. Bernice loved her family, especially her grandchildren. In addition, she also enjoyed gardening and was an active member of St. Dennis Catholic Church Parish. She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Bill; children, Mike (Mandi) and Karen; grandchildren, Alyssa and Sammi; siblings, Donald (Annette), George (Elaine), Charlotte Bolz, Mary Hessefort, John (Betty), Jim (Janice), Dan (Marge), Dennis (Nancy), and many nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Road, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 12, 2013, with Father Kent Schmitt presiding. Burial will be at Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Monday, March 11, 2013, and also at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Dennis Catholic Church, Agrace HospiceCare, or St. Patrick’s Cancer Survivors group in Cottage Grove. A special thank you to Agrace HospiceCare South Team, Dr. William Schelman, all members of the Phase I Cancer Program, UW Carbone Cancer Center; Dr. Edward J. Kramper, and the staff at UW Clinic in Cottage Grove. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Monday, March 11, 2013, and also at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass on Tuesday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Road, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 12, 2013, with Father Kent Schmitt presiding.