Bernadine Van Hoecke

Bernadine Angela Van Hoecke was born to Clarence Victor and Winona Marie (Horrell) Wathen on May 28, 1933 in Hatfield, Minnesota where she was raised and attended school.  When she started the fourth grade, she moved with her family to Pipestone, Minnesota to continue her education and complete her high school graduation.   After graduation, she was employed at J.C. Penney.  On November 21, 1951, she was united in marriage to Maurice (Morris) Van Hoecke Sr., at St. Leo Catholic Church in Pipestone.  Shortly after, Morris entered the U.S. Marine Corp.  Bernadine lived with her sister, Lorraine, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota until she joined her husband in Oceanside, California.  When Morris was sent to Korea, Bernadine, along with her first born child, returned to Pipestone.  After her husband was discharged from the service, they lived on a farm north of Pipestone and in 1956 they lived in Woodstock, Minnesota for one year until they moved to a farm in Altona Township of Pipestone County.  In 1966, they found their cherished farm in Troy Township. Bernadine, along with the love of her life, raised and inspired their children to work hard, enjoy life and above all, love your family.

Bernadine's incredible life truly revolved around her family, which often times, encompassed half of the neighborhood.  Her desire to ensure that any visitor to her home would feel welcome, was evident with the immense amount of food that was forever present.  She absolutely loved to share her passion of baking with her grandchildren, where they could do no wrong.   Bernadine's unwavering faith and love of helping others was never more obvious than when she generously gave of her other time at St. Leo's Catholic Church.  She was in her glory as she quilted and assisted with funeral luncheons with her "lunch ladies".  She absolutely treasured her time with these amazing people.

She is lovingly remembered by seven children, Morey (Pat) Van Hoecke Jr. of Pipestone, Minnesota, Cynthia (Cliff) Gelderman of Sheldon, Iowa, Carolyn (Rich) Brobjorg of Pipestone, Minnesota, Jerry (Kim) Van Hoecke of Pipestone, Minnesota, Jim (Tina) Van Hoecke of Moorhead, Minnesota, Marnita (Vicki, Significant Other) Van Hoecke, and Lisa (Jim) Rogich of Elgin, Minnesota; one son-in-law, Randy Fenton of Pipestone, Minnesota; nineteen grandchildren, Angela (Shawn) Chauncey, Richard (Clorinda) Fenton, Melissa (Jon) McKenna, Jennifer (Scott) Gaalswyk, Bill (Emily) Van Hoecke, Chrissy (Jeff) DeBates, Krystal (Thomas) Prinsen, Kerrie (Special friend, Andrew) Decko, Justin Brobjorg, Lindsay (Matt) Borgmann, Jeremy Van Hoecke, Ryan (Cole) Van Hoecke, Tyler Van Hoecke, Marshall Van Hoecke, Raymond Van Hoecke, Amanda Van Hoecke, Anthony (Special friend, Allie) Rogich, Ashley (Adam) Wolf, and Allison (Special friend, Rob) Rogich; 26 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; sister, Rita Paulsen of Pipestone, Minnesota.  She was preceded in death by her husband; one daughter, Linda Fenton; her parents; two brothers, Cecil Wathen and Howard Wathen; and four sisters, Mary Kempenich, Patricia Dysthe, Lorraine Pierce, and Thelma Westerbur.