I am going to say that knowing her was an opportunity missed. It wasn't until I was an adult (middle aged at that) before I understood her. As a child, she was a formidable figure who slightly frightened me. No, she was not mean or threatening in any way, she was just a presence that was larger than me.
Bernice was born on July 4, 1912 in Minnesota. Her father arrived from Sweden in 1880 when he was a toddler. Her mother was born in Iowa. How they met or gravitated to Minnesota is not known but Aunt Bernice was very proud of her Minnesota roots. She was the oldest of five children and was very partial to her brother Kenneth.
I haven't done the research to find where she met my uncle but I do remember when they came to see us after they were married on September 2, 1955.
They made the trip from Montana to Southern California. One of my parent's favorite things to do was to take family to Los Angeles and eat at Clifton's Cafeteria in Downtown. (Clifton's has been closed for years but is reopening soon and I am so looking forward to a trip there.)
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| Me, Uncle Ralph, Aunt Bernice, my mom Ruby, my dad Ernie and my brother in September 1955 at Clifton's. |
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| Howard Rhea, Anne Rhea, Ralph Rhea, Bernice Rhea, Ernie Rhea, and Ruby Rhea in Walnut Creek, California 1970's. |
It wasn't until years later when my husband and I made the trip to Yellowstone National Park and Billings that I finally understood my aunt. She was in an assisted living facility. It was then I realized she was a kind person with a no-nonsense exterior. I wish I'd seen that before but I treasure the week we spent with her and my uncle.
Bernice Elaine Bergstrom passed away on August 1, 2005.
She was a very pretty woman. I have always liked that no nonsense type person but you have to be prepared for the honesty. We think people are rude, but it is not the same as honesty. Rudeness is selfishness. Honesty is abrupt, exposing and sometimes cruel. But it is what it is.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, I couldn't think of the word but abrupt is right. I always admired her knowledge.
DeleteWhat a beautiful and complete tribute. I am doing What's in a name and chose Bertha for my favorite Auntie for B #Blogging from A-Z swinging by to meet and greet. I am 471 and 472 in the long list, with MOVIES & What's in a NAME Hope you swing by to 4covert2overt and Defining Ways. Hope to meet up everywhere @M_C_V_Egan
ReplyDeletehttp://4covert2overt.blogspot.com/
http://mariacatalinaegan.com/
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What a wonderful way to do the A to Z. I am just browsing and found this. I love old pictures and family history. It is so rich and full. Your Aunt does look strong minded and sometimes we need to grow up to fully appreciate their strengths. I had an Aunt like this and value her today.
ReplyDeleteI love this idea of family history. Great start to the A to Z challenge! My grandmother was a Bernice also.
ReplyDeleteMary
The View from my World
I love this idea as well. I am interested in family history. I have a lot of my grandmother's photos and try to combine those with anecdotal stories and facts in photo books I do on couples. Though since I started blogging, the family history has been a bit neglected. Great idea of yours. I need to read blogs like yours to find inspiration, I think!! I am doing the challenge as well. Carolyn from Pastimes-Passions-Paraphernalia.org.
ReplyDeleteI too have lots of photos and am blogging at http://familytreeblossoms.blogspot.com.au Do pop by and take a look at my old photos. I'm enjoying the blogging challenge and it has made me check all the info I have on each person. Visiting from AtoZ
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