July 11, 2018 – Batavia, WI – Bernice M. Melius (nee Vanderkin), 85 of Batavia passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 8 at her home with her family by her side.
She was born on May 29, 1933 to the late Arthur and Alice (nee Steinke) Vanderkin. Bernice was baptized at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Cascade, WI.
She graduated from Waldo High School in 1951. On July 28, 1951 she was united in marriage to John A. Melius at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and was married for 50 years.
Bernice worked for the Random Lake School District in the food service for many years. She loved to do crafts, sewing, and quilting. She donated many lap quilts, walker bags, and clothing to nursing homes and missions. She and John loved to go “Up North “ fishing with her sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Tom Fuller. She also loved spending time with her 5 children, 15 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.
Those Bernice leaves behind to cherish her memory include her five children, Levi (Karel) Melius of Cascade, Elizabeth (John) Beck of Iron Ridge, Russell (Mary) Melius of Steamboat Springs, CO., Greg (Judy) Melius of Batavia, and Teresa (Jeff) Schladweiler of Kewaskum; 15 grandchildren, Melissa (Heath) Meyer, Samantha (Fiancé Joshua Bauer) Melius, Tabitha Culver, Levi (Jennifer) Melius Jr., Jacob Beck, Kelly (Joel) Braunschweig, Paul (Nicole) Beck, Martha Beck, Joseph Melius, Hannah Melius, Megan (Steven) Ohland, Allison (Dwight) McShaw, Joshua (Jennifer) Schladweiler, Adam ( Hannah) Schladweiler, and Michael Schladweiler; 21 great-grandchildren; a brother, Robert (Edith) Vanderkin; two sisters, Beverly (Oliver) Hinz and Carol Fuller; three sisters-in-law, Margie Peter, Delphine Hartmann, and Dorthy Reinhardt; a brother-in-law, Walter Hetzel; other relatives and friends.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband John, one brother, one sister, 6 sisters-in-law, and 9 brothers-in-law.
Private services for Bernice will be held at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, Batavia at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Batavia.
The family would like to thank the doctors and staff at St. Luke’s, Rocky Knoll, and Sharon Richardson Hospice for all their help and care.