Inger Margrethe Bern

Inger Margrethe Bern, 91, of St. Joseph, Michigan, died on March 29, 2016 at Woodland Terrace in Niles, Michigan from COPD. With Scandinavian courage she fought for life, but then surrendered to God and took her last breath with loved ones and staff by her bedside. Inger was born Dec. 4, 1924 in Faaborg, Denmark to Jens Jensen and Johanna Frejarika Rasmussen. She graduated from high school in Faaborg in 1938 and worked in the hospitality industry. She served in the Danish Underground Resistance while German forces occupied her homeland during World War II. Shortly before the war, Inger met a young man who lived down the street. His name was Harry Bern. Thus began a love story that spanned more than 60 years and two countries. They married on Sept. 4, 1948 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Two weeks later, Harry immigrated to the United States to pursue a career in the plumbing trade. Inger followed in March 1949 and they began their lives in the Twin Cities area. While Harry owned and operated Bern Plumbing and Heating, Inger helped the business to succeed while being a homemaker for their three children. But she was far more than a devoted wife, mother and a brilliant cook and homemaker in the Danish tradition. Inger was an artist. Her mother taught her how to knit with yarn when she was a child. Inger quickly learned and soon began knitting scarves, sweaters, blankets and many other pieces. This talent continued throughout her life; no pattern or knitting project was too complicated for her. She freely shared her love for knitting and helped teach others for years when she co-owned the Craft and Trim Shop during the 1980s. Knitting needles always felt at home in her hands, but so too did the organ keyboard and paint brush. Despite being in her 50s, she took organ lessons and soon was playing for her family. In the 1990s she began painting lessons and learned how to paint in oils, acrylics and watercolors. She painted dozens of pieces, most of which featured scenes from Denmark or Lake Michigan’s shoreline. Family and friends cherish her paintings. Although Harry died in 2005 and she struggled with COPD during her final years, Inger lived a full and happy life. She exemplified the American Dream: She and Harry came to America with only a few dollars in their pockets and couldn’t speak English. But together they created and sustained a business, home and family that was rooted in Danish heritage but also honored America. Without Harry for the past 11 years, they’re together again, dancing in heaven. Survivors include daughter Debby Bern, St. Joseph; son David Bern, Salt Lake City, Utah; daughters-in-law Wendy Elwell, Brevard, North Carolina and Denise Bern, Salt Lake City, Utah; grandchildren, Amy Ferrell, Andrew Bern, Gudrun Hansen, Christina Weston, Jaryd Bern and Nils Bern; and great-grandchildren Alex, Eryn and Jordan Weston, and Camilla, Emma and Freja Hansen. She is preceded in death by her husband; son, Dennis Bern; sister, Tove Henningsen; brother-in-law, Christian Henningsen; and her parents. A visitation and memorial service will be held on Wednesday, April 6 at Starks and Menchinger Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Visitation is from 6-7 p.m. and the memorial service from 7-8 p.m. Starks and Menchinger will provide cremation services. Interment will be at Faaborg Kirke Helligandskirken in Faaborg, Denmark. A heartfelt thank you to the staff and hospice at Woodland Terrace for providing exemplary care, kindness and love to Inger during the last two years of her life. She loved all of you dearly, and she felt loved in return. In lieu of flowers, please make a generous donation to the Autism Society of America or to the American Lung Association.