The funeral Mass for Bernice Zimmerman, will be 11:00AM, Wednesday, September 9, 2015 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic with the Rev. Mark McNea officiating.  Visitation will be one hour prior with burial at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Rice Lake Wisconsin the following day at 11:00am

Bernice Mae (Saueressig) Zimmerman, age 87 of Rochester, died peacefully on Monday, August 31 ^st , 2015, at her home in Rochester.  She had just recently returned from a memorable family reunion with relatives at their Wisconsin cabin that has been in the family since 1959.

Born in Union Township (near Plum City), Wis., on May 5, 1928, to Ralph and Grace Saueressig, Bernice was one of 4 children. She attended the University of Wisconsin, River Falls and became a school teacher in Rice Lake, WI.   There she met Lyle Phillip Zimmerman, they married in 1951 and then moved to Rochester, MN.   He opened a gift and watch repair store ("The Buckskin Shoppe") where Bernice assisted in what became the family business of 33 years (Oh,…while raising 5 children!).

Bernice loved her Catholic faith and lived it fully as a generous volunteer in Rochester, including 11 years working with the sisters at Assisi Heights, helping annually working with Christmas Anonymous, serving on the St. Francis School Board, as well as 40 years as an alto with the St. Francis Choir and as a volunteer with "The Community Clothesline."

Bernice is survived by her sisters Irma (Wally) Lindholm and LaVerna (John) Meyer and five adult children: daughters Sheri (Casey) Taylor and Lori (Michael) Tollen, and sons Terry (Sandra), Dan (Sue), and David (Lisa).  She leaves behind 10 grandchildren: Chelsi & Lisha \ Vas, Andrey & Karina \ Sara & Hanna \ Micah, Carly & John Paul, Janice Saueressig and Jean (Thomas) Hurlburt and many dear friends. Bernice was preceded in death by her brother Gordon, and husband Lyle.

The family has suggested that memorials go to Catholic Charities for the poor, the St. Francis Endowment Fund, or to a charity of your choice.

Macken Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.  Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.