Bernice Esther (Sandven) Struxness was born on November 5, 1911 in Swenoda Twp. of Swift Co., Minnesota to John and Inga Sandven. She was baptized at home on December 25, 1911 and confirmed at the Big Bend Lutheran Church. She attended rural schools. On February 7, 1931 she was united in marriage to Andrew Struxness at the Big Bend Lutheran Church. They lived and farmed in rural Milan until 1974, when they moved into Milan. She was a member of Kviteseid Lutheran Church and its women's group.
Bernice died on Monday November 15, 1993 at the Chippewa Co-Montevideo Hospital at the age of 82. She is survived by daughters - Joan and her husband Delmar Voorhees of Appleton, Mn.; and Donna and her husband Elwood Anderson of Montevideo, Mn.; 8 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; as well as by numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, by her husband Andrew in 1990; by a daughter - Arlys Burnell in 1941; by a great grandson - Matthew Kettner; by brothers -Bernard, Henry, Arnt, Melvin, and Sherman Sandven; and by sisters - Bertha Fragodt; Minnie Berg; and Hannah Thompson.