Bernice Gamble was born December 18, 1907, on the farm in West Bank Township of Swift County, to Stienar and Thea (Overland) Erickson. She was baptized, attended Sunday School, and was confirmed at Big Bend Lutheran Church. She attended grade school at District 72, and for a short time at the Lutheran Normal School in Madison.
On October 8, 1929, she was united in marriage to Earl J. Gamble at Rugby, North Dakota. To this union ten children were born. They lived in the communities of Black Duck, MN, Big Bend, Forest Lake, North Branch, and since 1963, in Dawson.
Bernice worked at the Coop Cafe for two years and for over twelve years at the Molstad Bakery.
Earl died on June 11, 1988. Bernice remained in her home and for the last 5 years has been a resident of the Johnson Memorial Home. Bernice died there on Saturday, March 11, 2000, at the age of 92 years, 2 months, and 23 days.
She is survived by her eight children: Betty (Bob) Siverhus of Montevideo, Ronald (Rachael) of Isanti, Darrell (Holly) of Des Moines, IA, Patsy (Harold) Leegaard of Dawson, Janet (Aloys) Liebl of rural Dawson, Dennis (Judy) of Janesville, IA, David (Sandy) of Avon, MN, and Jerry (Karen) of Houston, TX; 47 grandchildren; 84 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Margaret Denler of Wasilla, AK; son-in-law, Frank Bergeson of rural Dawson; several nieces and nephews, other family, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Earl; son, Earl, Jr.; daughter, Jean Bergeson; two sons-in-law: Elvin Larson and Roy Curtis; grandson, Jody Bergeson; granddaughter, Brenda Leegaard: in infancy great-grandson, Nicholas Primus, and great-granddaughter, Samantha Liebl; three sisters: Gunhild Erickson, Agnes Dvergsten, and Cora Mattson; and six brothers: Ole, Halvor, John, Edward, Orvin, and Herbert Erickson.