Bernice Ferries

Bernice E. Ferries, 97 of Watertown passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 4, 2019 with her family by her side at Heritage Homes in Watertown.

Bernice was born on January 31, 1922 in Wilton the daughter of Conrad and Lillian (Pergande) Brandau. She worked diligently to get her teaching license in order to fulfill her dream to become a teacher and graduated from Juneau Co. Normal in 1941 beginning a great milestone in her life. Bernice later earned her Bachelors degree in education in 1960 from UW Eau Claire. She married the love of her life James Hugh on August 8, 1942 in South Ridge, WI and the couple enjoyed 70 years of marriage before his passing in 2012. She spent most of her life teaching young minds, she started her teaching career in a small one room school house at the age of 20. Bernice and her family traveled all over the country, they enjoyed spending time together on all of their family trips. After retirement Bernice and James continued traveling even purchasing an RV to better accommodate their trips. After her teaching career she became a librarian and at the age of 80 she single handedly created a church library for Woodland Lutheran Church in Nekoosa. In her free time she enjoyed writing hand written letters and sending friends and family cards in the mail, reading, scrapbooking, and crossword puzzles, but above all she enjoyed spending time with her family and later in life her many grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by those who were blessed to have known her.

Bernice is survived by her children Sandra Zenor of Watertown and Paula (Roger) Schroeder of Watertown. 4 Grandchildren: Heidi (Paul) Hanus, Travis (Michelle) Sarinske, Justin Sarinske, and Sarah (Mark) Hraban-Humfleet. 9 Great-Grandchildren: Colton (Sckilay’re); Austin; Emmilyn (Mark); Lily (Dylan); Nathaniel; Sadie; Dylan; Taylor; and Avery. 4 Great Great-Granchildren: Katie; Lincoln; Brooklyn; and Zander. She is also survived by a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, grandson Jacob, sisters Alta and Beata, brother Phillip, and 2 sons-in-law Roger Sarinske and Clifford Zenor.

A funeral service for Bernice will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, August 10, 2019 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Oconomowoc with Pastor Rod Resheske presiding. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30am until the time of service. Burial will take place at 11:00am on Sunday, August 11, 2019 at South Ridge Lutheran Cemetery in Wilton, WI.

Memorials in Bernice’s honor to Our Savior’s Lutheran Scholarship Fund would be appreciated.