Thief River Falls – Bernice Louise Barth, 96, of Thief River Falls passed away on Monday, June 26, 2023, at the Thief River Care Center, Thief River Falls.
On September 21, 1926, Bernice was born at home in rural Campbell to Joseph and Anna (Nennig) Schillinger at Campbell. She attended school near Campbell, at a Township School close to her home. After finishing school, Bernice began working on the family farm. Bernice worked at a hotel and café in Breckenridge, where she met Raymond Barth.
On November 11, 1944, she married Raymond Clifford Barth in St. Gall’s Church in Tintah. They made their home in rural Campbell. To this union were born 9 children: Gary Lee, Clifford Wayne, Pamela Jean, Michael Ray, David Anthony, Glen Allen, William Joseph, Dale Robert, and Annette Marie. Raymond and Bernice farmed and trapped here until 1969, when they purchased a farm northeast of Thief River Falls. Raymond passed in 2016, and Bernice lived there until November 2022. The farm remains in the family.
Bernice and Ray purchased a place in Apache Junction in Mesa, Arizona, where they would spend their winters for the next 15 years with their son Gary and his family and many friends and relatives from Campbell, Breckenridge, and Thief River Falls areas.
Bernice enjoyed gardening, canning, baking, and making meals for the family. She always put others before herself. Baking was her specialty and was known for her chocolate cake and pies. Making clothes for her family was a joy and great memories for her children. Bernice and Ray prioritized the church, creating a deep faith in God.
Bernice is survived by seven of her nine children; Gary (Ruth) of Apache Junction, Arizona; Clifford (Krista) of Breckenridge; Pamela (Tom) Oscarson of Red Lake Falls; Michael (Marilyn) of Rapelje, Montana, William of Viking, Dale of Thief River Falls, and Annette Barth (fiancé, Joseph Bauer) of Thief River Falls; 20 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray, sons Glen and David Barth, grandsons Rick Barth and Cory Barth, daughter-in-law, Marguerite Barth; four siblings, Robert, Lawrence, and David Schillinger and Genevieve” Jenny” Zoucha.
Visitation was Friday, June 30, 2023 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls.
Prayer Service was Friday, June 30, 2023 at 7 p.m. in Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls.
Mass of Christian Burial was 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 1, 2023, at St. Bernard Catholic Church, Thief River Falls.
Burial followed the service at St. Bernard’s Catholic Cemetery, Thief River Falls.
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