Bernice S. Belman
Bernice S. Belman, 101. The angels came and took Bernice on Sept. 7, 2016. II Corinthians states “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” Bernice Susan Fleisner was born in Milwaukee Dec. 4, 1914, to Peter and Laura (Lex) Fleisner. She was raised on the family farm and eventually met her new neighbor, Don Belman Sr. They married July 17, 1937, and raised six children together.
Bernice worked as a waitress at Merrill Hills Country Club and at the American Legion Restaurant in Waukesha. From her garden and many fruit trees, she canned and froze vegetables and fruit. Every Saturday was baking day making sweet rolls, pies, cookies, and bread and at Christmas her famous stollens. She also enjoyed and maintained beautiful flower beds and loved planting trees. Later in life, she discovered her talent of painting oil on canvas and produced still life, landscapes, animals and people. What a treasure she left family.
Bernice was a prayer warrior, frequently saying, “pray about it.” She lifted up many persons praying for their needs. Bernice was a charter member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Waukesha. She was a past member of Christian Mother’s Club, Catholic Bible Study Group, Oakdale Homemakers and Living Waters.
Bernice is survived by her son, Donald (Carol) Belman Jr. of Waukesha; and daughters, Patricia Sova of Marshfield and Therese Frost of Racine. She is further survived by grandchildren Daniel (Raelynn) Belman, David (Susan) Belman, Gary Belman Jr., Laurie (Kevin) Giffen, Richard (Melissa) Belman Jr., Matthew Frost, Russel (Jolene) Sova Jr., Marlisa (Russell) Kaas, Rhonda Sova, Regina (James) McMenamin, Travis Sova, Steven Sova, and Kristilyn (Mat) Lucht; her daughter-in-law Cheryl Belman; 24 great-grandchildren, 10 great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Bernice lived to be 101 years old, living through many wars, the Great Depression, and the deaths of many loved ones, but her faith in God never faltered. She was predeceased by Donald Sr., her sons Gary Sr. and Richard Sr., her daughter Sharon Jean; siblings Harold Fleisner Sr., Edward Fleisner (USMC Guam, World War II), and Loraine Gastrau; great-granddaughters Alesha Kaas and Chelsey Lobehofer and great-great granddaughter Hazel Grace Kaas. Special thanks to Ministry Home Care Hospice Services, Wells Nature View and Dixie in Marshfield and friends Betsy Mathes and Diane Jost.
Visitation and vigil will be held Monday, Sept. 12, 2016, from 10 a.m. to noon, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Waukesha, with the Very Rev. Howard Haase officiating. A luncheon is to follow. Rembs Funeral Home is assisting the family.
In lieu of flowers, Bernice requests donations to www.OperationFinallyHome.org.
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