Bernice Zens' Obituary
Bernice H. Zens
Racine- Mrs. Bernice Helen (nee: Kosterman) Zens, 91, passed away at St. Joseph's Home for the Aged in Kenosha on Saturday, December 26, 2009.
Bernice was born in Racine on June 6, 1918 to the late Charles and Catherine (nee: Komas) Kosterman and lived her most of her life in Racine. She was united in marriage to Edward N. Zens in Racine on October 22, 1949. He preceded her in death on November 21, 1999.
Bernice earned her degree in nursing and was employed as a pediatric nurse at St. Vincent's Hospital and Orphanage in Chicago. She was also employed by S.C. Johnson and Sons until her marriage and was a devout member of St. Edward's Catholic Church for many years.
She is survived by her son, Paul (Mary) Zens; daughters, Barbara (James) Hantschel and Gail (Steven) Pollock; grandchildren, Brian Zens, David Zens, Rebecca (John) Bohn, Allison (Anthony) Sansone, Paul Hantschel, Kristin Hantschel, Laura Pollock, and Elizabeth Pollock; brother Norbert (Margaret Mary) Kosterman; sister LaVerne Golden; sister-in-laws, Helen Spiering and Mary Liedick; and numerous other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and eight siblings; Raymond, Verna, Marie, Ruth, Caroline, Dorothy, Charles, and Rita.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Bernice will be held at St Edward's Catholic Church (1430 Grove Ave) on Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 11am with Father Allen Bratkowski officiating. Entombment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery (Hwy 32). Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church from 9am until the time of service. Memorials in memory of Bernice to St. Edwards will be appreciated.
It's hard to explain the power of her presence to someone who's never
been fixed by that kind of determination, the kind that carries you
through two wars and a Great Depression, ten brothers and sisters and
three children and eight grandchildren and a world that changed so
much from the beginning of her life to the end that she barely
recognized it.
Until her fingers could hardly hold the clothespins, she hung the
washing on a line in the back yard to dry. She'd stand at the top of
the stairs and yell down the names of all the kids and grandkids and
everyone else she knew until she got to the one who answered. She said
the rosary and went to church until she couldn't. She fought until she
couldn't, too, to live the life she wanted to, one in which her table
always had a place for family and her porch swing a seat for anyone
who needed her comfort or advice.
When she was in the hospital four years ago, she got the nurses to
sneak her candy and when one couldn't find a vein to draw blood she
offered to stick herself. She let her daughter wear her wedding dress
as a Halloween costume and taught her grandchildren to make perfect
pie crusts. Two weeks before she died she was instructing the aides in
her nursing home about what kind of cupcakes to make for their
children.
Everyone's world spun on her axis, the strong center around which our
joy revolved. Life without her seems impossible. But she's gone, and
life is possible. She made it possible.
What’s your fondest memory of Bernice?
What’s a lesson you learned from Bernice?
Share a story where Bernice's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Bernice you’ll never forget.
How did Bernice make you smile?