Bernice Helen Marie MALLES

On Jan. 10, 1935, she married Raymond Putz. To this union, three children were born. Raymond preceded Bernice in death May 5, 1937, as the result of a house fire.

After the death of her husband, Bernice moved in with her parents and attended Winona Business College. After her graduation, she worked at the offices of the Fountain City Brewery until her marriage to Alfred John Engel on March 16, 1943.  To this union, five children were born. Alfred preceded Bernice in death Sept. 28, 1990. Bernice and Alfred resided on a farm on Belvidere Ridge. Bernice, who was a city girl at heart, soon developed a passion for not only chickens, but for vegetable and flower gardening as well. Even after her retirement, Bernice often said she dreamt about her chickens.

Bernice was a longtime devoted and faithful member of Hope United Church of Christ in Cochrane. She instilled in her children the importance of church and our Lord, making sure all eight of her children were confirmed. She also was the church organist and amember of the ladies aide, always helping with funeral lunches.

Bernice enjoyed parties, especially on the Belvidere Ridge withall of the neighbors, where they would celebrate the birthdays at each others’ homes. If there wasn’t a party going on atop the ridge, you would be able to find them in Cochrane on a weekend night.

She also enjoyed traveling with her husband, especially in their later years, most notably, going to Hawaii and Switzerland. Sometimes they would just go out for a Sunday drive and not come back for a day or two.

Following her retirement from 31years of farming, Bernice began a new career entering data at the Winona Post. Immediately after her retirement from the Post, she started volunteer driving for Buffalo County and helping those who needed extra care in their homes. She also found enjoyment selling and collecting Avon for many, many years.

On Dec. 30, 1999, she married Clarence Busch, and they resided in Cochrane until moving to Winona in 2005.

Clarence preceded Bernice in death Nov. 9, 2010.

We believe that after his death, Bernice decided that her work here on earth was done.

Bernice was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother and friend to many.

Bernice will be sadly missed by her children, Gerald (Jan) Putz of Winona, Ruth (Eugene) Korder of Winona, Robert Engel of Lincoln, Neb., Rose Mary (John) Staige of Fountain City, Susan (Michael)Ellis of Hawaii, William (Betty) Engel of Buffalo City and Lucille (Tony) Wolfe of Winona; 27 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; several special stepchildren; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Preceding Bernice in death were her parents, Malcolm and Linda Malles; husbands, Raymond Putz, Alfred Engel and Clarence Busch; son, Ronald Putz; grandchildren, Vance Korder and Marcus Wolfe; and brother- and sister-in-law, Melvin and Connie Malles.