Bernice L. (Riesterer) Bonde, age 90, died peacefully on Monday evening March 27, 2023 at Manitowoc Health and Rehabilitation Center, where she resided the past four years.

Bernice was born in the Town of Liberty, WI on December 8, 1932, the second daughter of the late William F. and Helen K. (Steffen) Riesterer.  She attended local schools and was subsequently employed by the Salvatorian Center and Hansen Glove Factory. On July 9, 1955 she married Orville T. Bonde. Together they built a home in School Hill where they brought up their children, cultivated gardens and fields, and raised a variety of animals on their hobby farm.

Bernice was a faithful and very active member of the Holy Trinity Parish. She served in the Holy Trinity Christian Women, was a member of the Adult Choir, directed the Children's Choir, and taught CCD classes.  She was a member of the American Legion Wagner-Eberle-Sukowaty Auxiliary, Post #477 in St. Nazianz.  She also enjoyed many seasons of bowling in various leagues. While raising her family, she worked outside the home at Brost Foods and Piggly Wiggly and eventually retired from Woodlake Market.

Bernice cherished every moment she spent with her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She enjoyed playing cards and board games and working on puzzles. She savored the occasional martini, adored going out for breakfast, and loved driving her car to relax and take in the scenery of back roads.

Bernice is survived by her five children: Kevin (Joleen) Bonde, School Hill, Charles Bonde (special friend Rosa Kuehnl) Newton, Susan Bonde (Rick Jones) South Windsor, CT, Brian Bonde, School Hill, and Eric Bonde, School Hill. She leaves her 10 grandchildren: Ryan Bonde, Stephanie (Andy) Miller, Jeff (Audrey) Bonde; Adam (Allison) Lesperance, Joshua Lesperance; Alexandra Jones (fiance Tyler Green), Matt Jones; Cory (Brittany) Bonde, Allyson Bonde (fiance Brayden Burbee) and Brandon Bonde. She leaves her six great-grandchildren: Kelvin and Everett Miller, Sophie Bonde, Landon Lesperance, and Landon and Carson Bonde.  She is survived by sisters-in-law Kathie Riesterer and Lynn Hausler; in-laws Ralph Bonde, Allen and Maria Bonde; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

After 67 years of marriage, Bernice was preceded in death by Orville on June 28, 2022. She was also preceded by her parents William and Helen Riesterer and all her siblings: Gertrude Jeno, Lorraine (Vernon) Raquet, Florence "Chubby" (Danny) Zimmerman, Ralph Riesterer, and Stanley Riesterer; as well as in-laws Edith and Milton Mueller, Vernon and Ruth Bonde, and Kenneth and Marie Bonde.

The family will greet relatives and friends at Holy Trinity Catholic Church (11928 Marken Road), School Hill on Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 9:00 AM until 11:15 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:30 AM.  Inurnment will immediately follow at the parish cemetery.

The family would like to thank the staff at Manitowoc Health and Rehabilitation Center for the care they provided for her the past four years, as well as the staff at Sharon S. Richardson Hospice for their care during her final journey. Special thanks to our cousins Michael Bonde and Barb and Berny Wazny for their many visits to Mom throughout the years.