Bernice Willer

Bernice Willer

TOLEDO- Bernice Anna Willer, 87, a resident of Urbandale Health Care Center passed away Sunday, February 28, 2021 under the care of Hospice of the Midwest. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, March 5, 2021 at 10:30 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama with Father Dennis Conway officiating. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Toledo. There will be no public visitation. Masks and social distancing are required. For those not comfortable or unable to attend, the Mass will be live streamed on Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home and Cremation Services Facebook page.

Bernice was born on June 14, 1933, in Toledo, Iowa, the daughter of William and Anna (Seda) Biley.

She graduated from Toledo High School in 1950. While in high school she was an All-State basketball selection her Junior year, but unable to compete her Senior year due to health concerns.

On October 30, 1950, she was united in marriage to Marvin “Bud” Willer at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in rural Toledo, Iowa. Bernice worked at the State Juvenile Home in Toledo for a few years and then served at the USDA office in Toledo for a decade. Additionally, she and Bud farmed during this ten year period on the property that is now Tama County Lake in Otter Creek Township. They then purchased property on the north side of Toledo and owned and operated Willer Ag Service until they sold the business in 1981.

Bernice was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama. She enjoyed watching her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren growing up and loved sports activities involving family and always looked forward to family gatherings.

Survivors include two daughters, Karen Davis of Gulf Shores, Alabama, and Katharine (Patrick) McCaslin of Urbandale; one son, Kim (Shelley) Willer of Urbandale; seven grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Shari Willer of Wisconsin; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death was her husband of sixty-years, Bud on November 25, 2010; her parents; her sister, Lorraine Zmolek; and a son-in-law, Joe Davis.

A memorial fund will be established.

Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home, Tama-Toledo, is assisting the family with arrangements.