Bernice Coates

BERNICE LILLIAN COATES was born on October 2, 1921 Rudolph M. and Alma Lydia (Tumberg) Kujala at her parents’ home in Deer Creek Township of Otter Tail County, Minnesota where she was raised and received her education. On June 1, 1942, she was united in marriage to Cecil Verne Coates in Detroit, Minnesota. Following their marriage, they lived in Detroit and raised their two children there. During their 60 plus years of marriage, they lived in Minnesota and Arizona. While living in Arizona, Cecil preceded Bernice in death on September 4, 2005. After his death, Bernice resided in New York Mills, MN until July of 2007 when she moved to Pipestone, Minnesota. On March 1, 2012, Bernice was admitted to the Pipestone County Hospice House where she died on Wednesday, April 25, 2012, at the age of 90 years, six months and 23 days.

Bernice was a member of the Lutheran Church. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed knitting and quilting.

She is lovingly remembered by her six grandchildren, Michael Coates and his wife Kristen, Marc Hall and his wife Stephanie, Jodi Boozer and her husband John, Jill Dickerson and her husband Seth, Jonathan Coates and his wife Amanda and Sara Coates; and ten great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; her daughter, Victoria Hall; and her son, Patrick Coates.

A memorial service will be held at a later date in New York Mills, Minnesota.