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Bernice M. Engelhart Jan 04 1932 - Jun 08 2011
Bernice M. Engelhart, 79, Watertown died Wednesday June 8, 2011 at Dougherty Hospice in Sioux Falls. Funeral mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 13, 2011, in the Holy Name Catholic Church in Watertown. The Rev. John Lantsberger will officiate. Music will be provided by Kathy Hardina and Angelo Polsinelli. Burial will be in the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Watertown. Honorary pallbearers will be all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Active pallbearers will be her grandsons, Dan Engelhart, Jason Engelhart, Bryan Engelhart, Jared Leighton, Marcus Engelhart, Tyler Remien, and Nickolas Gottsleben. Visitation will be in the Crawford Funeral Chapel in Watertown Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m., with a Scripture / wake Service at 4 p.m. Visitation will also be available at Holy Name Church prior to the funeral mass on Monday. The family is requested to meet at the church at 9:30 a.m. for a prayer service. Bernice was born on January 4, 1932, at Grenville, South Dakota to Leo and Clara (Lesnar) Burchardt. She married Eugene Engelhart on August 19, 1950 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Waubay. Early in their married life she worked as a bookkeeper in St. Paul. Bernice and her husband Gene operated Sunkist Cleaners and Geno’s Bottle Shop for many years. Her favorite job was that of being a wife, mother and grandmother. She was known for her cooking, especially her delicious cinnamon rolls and crème puffs. Everyone that walked into her life was welcome in her home and at her table to share a meal and a cup of coffee. Survivors include nine children, Ken and his wife Carol of Minneapolis, Keith and his wife Becky of Eden Prairie, Kevin and his wife Jill of Sioux Falls, Kathy Leighton and her husband Gary, Kurt and his wife Jill, Kris Remien and her husband Roger, Karla Gottsleben and her husband Mark, all of Watertown, Kelly and his wife Dona of St. Paul, and Sister Kim Engelhart of Watertown; 21 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her three sisters, Adeline Hagen and her husband Virgil, MaryAnn Swanson and her husband Pete, and Clarice Holman and her husband Louie; one brother, LeRoy Burchardt and his wife Juanita and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene.

Bernice M. Engelhart
Jan 04 1932 - Jun 08 2011

Bernice M. Engelhart, 79, Watertown died Wednesday June 8, 2011 at Dougherty Hospice in Sioux Falls.

Funeral mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 13, 2011, in the Holy Name Catholic Church in Watertown. The Rev. John Lantsberger will officiate. Music will be provided by Kathy Hardina and Angelo Polsinelli.

Burial will be in the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Watertown. Honorary pallbearers will be all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Active pallbearers will be her grandsons, Dan Engelhart, Jason Engelhart, Bryan Engelhart, Jared Leighton, Marcus Engelhart, Tyler Remien, and Nickolas Gottsleben.

Visitation will be in the Crawford Funeral Chapel in Watertown Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m., with a Scripture / wake Service at 4 p.m. Visitation will also be available at Holy Name Church prior to the funeral mass on Monday. The family is requested to meet at the church at 9:30 a.m. for a prayer service.

Bernice was born on January 4, 1932, at Grenville, South Dakota to Leo and Clara (Lesnar) Burchardt. She married Eugene Engelhart on August 19, 1950 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Waubay. Early in their married life she worked as a bookkeeper in St. Paul. Bernice and her husband Gene operated Sunkist Cleaners and Geno’s Bottle Shop for many years. Her favorite job was that of being a wife, mother and grandmother. She was known for her cooking, especially her delicious cinnamon rolls and crème puffs. Everyone that walked into her life was welcome in her home and at her table to share a meal and a cup of coffee.

Survivors include nine children, Ken and his wife Carol of Minneapolis, Keith and his wife Becky of Eden Prairie, Kevin and his wife Jill of Sioux Falls, Kathy Leighton and her husband Gary, Kurt and his wife Jill, Kris Remien and her husband Roger, Karla Gottsleben and her husband Mark, all of Watertown, Kelly and his wife Dona of St. Paul, and Sister Kim Engelhart of Watertown; 21 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her three sisters, Adeline Hagen and her husband Virgil, MaryAnn Swanson and her husband Pete, and Clarice Holman and her husband Louie; one brother, LeRoy Burchardt and his wife Juanita and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene.

Guest book

Comment posted by: Doug Schulz
Mon 13th Jun 2011 05:32 am

My condolences to Kathy and all of the Engelhart family at the loss of your Mom. Take care and God Bless.

Comment posted by: Mary Foster
Sat 11th Jun 2011 12:00 pm

Kris and all of Bernices family, I am saddened to hear of the passing of your mother. My deepest sympathies to you. May you find comfort in the memories you have of her. She will always hold a special place in your hearts. She was a wonderful person. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this very difficult time.

Comment posted by: Cindy
Fri 10th Jun 2011 06:10 pm

Bernice was beautiful inside and out. God bless, it is so hard to lose your Mother.

Comment posted by: Pam and Rick Berg
Fri 10th Jun 2011 04:22 pm

Karla and family, We want you to know that we are thinking of you. Your mother was a wonderful lady and I am sure is looking down at all of you wih love. I know God has just received another angel. With love, Pam

Comment posted by: Shanon Lupica
Fri 10th Jun 2011 10:31 am

Kevin and Jill I am sorry for your loss my thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family.

Comment posted by: Pat Cusack
Fri 10th Jun 2011 10:02 am

My deepest sympathy in the loss of your mother, she was a wonderful lady and enjoyed visiting with her.

Comment posted by: Mary Swanson
Fri 10th Jun 2011 09:02 am

My sympathies to the Engelhart family. She was a very nice lady. I remember her fondly from church and from being a neighbor on Crestview Drive.

Mary (Juba) Swanson

Comment posted by: Shelly Engelhart
Fri 10th Jun 2011 08:13 am

I am so sorry to hear about Bernice passing. I always thought she was the sweetest person. She was so nice to talk to in TOPS.

Comment posted by: Richard and Rosanne Chandler
Fri 10th Jun 2011 08:06 am

We are so sorry to hear of your mother passing away. i did have a few good conversations with some of you, over the past month and one half. Once again, sorry.

Comment posted by: Brian and Amy Sowers
Fri 10th Jun 2011 07:45 am

Kurt, Karla, and families of Bernice,
You have our deepest sympathy for your loss!
Thoughts and prayers are with you!

Brian and Amy Sowers

Comment posted by: Mike and Sarah Hansen
Fri 10th Jun 2011 06:25 am

To the Engelhart family: We are so sorry for the passing of Bernice. Mike remembers spending lots of time at your house. She will be remembered forever. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

Love, Mike, Sarah and Family

Comment posted by: Lori Holman
Thu 09th Jun 2011 02:37 pm

Bernice was my aunt. She was one of the sweetest ladies I've ever known. The last time I got to see her was when I took my mom up to see Leroy and Bernice in Pierre. I have many great childhood memories of our vacations as a family to Watertown. My heart goes out to the family as well as to my mother. Bernice was a great lady. I know my mom will miss the long late night talks they used to have. God Bless

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