Bernice Ann Messer, the daughter of Lawrence and Grace Anderson Peterson, was born September 20, 1928 on a farm near Stanton, Iowa. She passed away on Monday, July 27, 2009 at the Hospice House in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 80 years, 10 months and 7 days. Bernice was raised in the Stanton area. She was Valedictorian of the Stanton High School class of l946. She continued her education, graduating from Immanuel Hospital School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse in l949. Bernice began her nursing career in Omaha, NE. During this time she met her future husband, Tom. Bernice was united in marriage to Thomas C. Messer on June 18, 1950 at the Tabor Lutheran Church, Wallin, IA. While Tom served in the U.S. Air Force, they made their home all over the world. Wherever Tom was stationed, Bernice continued her nursing career. In 1968, Bernice and Tom moved to Stanton, Iowa. She worked for the next 25 years at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital in Red Oak, IA, completing a 44 year nursing career. Bernice worked in many areas of nursing care including Medical Surgical, Pediatrics, Newborn Nursery Supervisor, Maternity, Emergency Room, Intensive Care and Home Health. Bernice was a nurse to her family, friends and neighbors. Bernice enjoyed a wide variety of interests and hobbies including: reading, cooking, sewing, and crossword puzzles. Bernice and Tom loved board games, and every night an intense game of Scrabble ensued. Bernice was also an accomplished seamstress. Over the years she created everything from frilly dresses for her young daughters, prom dresses when they were teens, to maternity dresses when they were young mothers. She then continued to make clothes for her grandchildren, and even for their dolls. She spent countless hours sewing for her church and their missionary efforts. Bernice was well known for her cooking and loved entertaining friends and family. Lasagna was her forte'. Bernice cultivated friendships that spanned a lifetime. Once a friend of Bernice, always a friend. She was an active member of Mamrelund Lutheran Church and a thirty year member of Entre Nous Federated Club. In her younger years, while stationed abroad, she served as an accompanist for the children's church choir. The joy of Bernice's life was her children and grandchildren. Amazingly, Bernice, who grew up an only child on a farm in Iowa until age fifteen, (when her two beautiful brothers, Don and Dennis bounded onto the scene) went on to travel the world with five children in tow. As much as she wanted all of her children to live nearby, she allowed them wings to fly, and room to grow. She always bridged the gap of distance with her frequent coast-to-coast visits. No grandchild's event was too far away. Bernice and Tom moved to Immanuel Village in Omaha, NE in November of 2008 as her health declined. Ironically, she ended up in the place where her life with Tom and her children began. Bernice was preceded in death by her parents. Bernice is survived by her husband, Thomas Messer of Omaha, NE; five children and spouses: Patrice & David Roebuck of Columbia, SC; Julie & Tom Smithson of South China, ME; Mari & Dr. George Tischenko of Orinda, CA; Gregg & Michelle Messer of Adel, IA; and Peter & Stephanie Messer of Omaha, NE; ten grandchildren: Tom Roebuck, Andrea Roebuck, Jon Roebuck, Sarah Smithson, Emily Smithson, Alexander Tischenko, Melissa Messer, Matthew Messer, Kirsty and Corey; two brothers and spouses: Don A. & Marlene Peterson of Kansas City, MO; and Dennis & Sue Peterson of Stanton, IA; numerous cousins, relatives and many friends. May God bless her memory and give strength to those who mourn. Funeral Service will be held Saturday, August 1, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at Mamrelund Lutheran Church, Stanton, IA Burial in Mamre Cemetery, Stanton, IA Rev. Jerry Lamb, Officiating Visitation with the family present on Friday evening from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital Foundation. Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home in charge of arrangement.