Bernice J. (LaVigne) Nelson was born in Dutch Harbor, AK. On April 18, 1934 and went to be with the Lord on May 28, 2024, shortly after celebrating her 90th birthday with a big family gathering.
As a young girl she survived the bombing of Dutch Harbor during WWII and was so close to the action she could see the pilots in the planes as they were dropping bombs on the village. As a result of this event the family was evacuated to Seattle where she grew up. Bernice loved to sing and, in her youth, had won a singing competition at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle, which led to her to do some singing on a local radio station. Bernice was also an excellent roller skater, and it was at the Ridgeway Roller Rink in Seattle that she met her beloved husband Oscar, they were a perfect skating pair and won several competitions. He was a skilled carpenter and built them a beautiful home in Snohomish where they raised their family. She worked for many years in retail at Lerner’s (a women’s clothing store) and was one of their top sales people.
Bernice was an energetic person that loved spending time with her family. She had a passion for cooking, gardening, as well as knitting and sewing. She was a world- class canner and blessed family and friends with the best fruit jams and jellies. She was a great homemaker and entertainer that always made the holidays special. She was a beautiful person that was full of life, and she’ll be dearly missed by all that knew her.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years, Oscar Nelson, her parents Mary and James LaVigne, and her brothers Everett, Louis, James, Teddy and Robert.
Bernice is survived by her daughter Joanne Wilson and son-in-law David Wilson: son Steve Nelson and daughter-in-law Tauna Nelson; grandchildren Makiya Hoff, Zachary and Laura Wilson (twins), Nathan Nelson, Korbin Nelson, as well as great grandchildren Cecil and Nora Hoff. Bernice is also survived by her sisters Audrey, Yvonne, and Shirley.
A celebration of Bernice’s Life will be determined and announced at a later date.
Leave a Condolence