Bernice Irene Timmerman

BERNICE IRENE TIMMERMAN

                Bernice Irene Pankow was born to Fred J. Pankow and Anna Hubrig Pankow in Hankinson, North Dakota, on September 20, 1932.  She died and went to be with Jesus on October 25, 2024, at the age of 92.   Bernice is survived by the three beloved children with whom the Lord blessed them:  Karla Timmerman Heerssen (Harvey), Michael Timmerman (Shereen), and Amy Timmerman Heasty (Tom, deceased);  also six beautiful grandchildren:  Katherine Yonkers (James), Anna Beyersdorf, Philip Beyersdorf (Nicole), Cori Woltmann (Luke), Matthew Timmerman (Ashley), and Allyson Timmerman;  and nine precious great-grandchildren:  Jamie Yonkers; Destin, Elsie, and Will Woltmann; Amelia and Henry Timmerman; Erin and Aiden Schellpeper, and Jeremia Beyersdorf.  Bernie was predeceased by her parents, her ten brothers and sisters (Alma, Adela, Linda, Bernard, Conrad, Gertrude, Fred, Ruth, Walter, and Herbert); infant granddaughter, Sarah Beyersdorf; and son-in-law, Tom Heasty.  She also leaves numerous nieces and nephews, countless friends and loved ones. 

Bernice grew up on the family farm, graduated from Hankinson High School, and attended college first in Valley City, North Dakota, then at Concordia Teachers College in Seward, Nebraska, where she earned her Lutheran Teachers Diploma.  It was at Concordia that Bernice met Willard Timmerman, a fellow education student from Brighton, Colorado.  By the Lord’s leading, they fell in love and were married on June 28, 1954.

                The Timmerman family lived in Denver, Colorado; and San Francisco and Montebello, California, where Willard was a Lutheran teacher and principal.  They moved back to Brighton, Colorado, in 1977, where they lived in their gracious house on South 11th Avenue until it was necessary for both to move into assisted living in the winter of 2022.

                Bernice taught for about 25 years in Lutheran schools, in elementary and early childhood classrooms:   Bethlehem, Sylvan Grove, Kansas; Emmaus, Denver; St. John’s, Montebello, California; and Zion, Brighton, Colorado.  She also worked at the 47J School District in Henderson, near Brighton.  While at Zion, she completed her B.S. in Education through Concordia, Seward.  She was an accomplished housekeeper, decorator, cook, hostess, and seamstress.  She loved to play the piano and organ and sing, especially hymns.

                Bernice was first a baptized and forgiven child of God, redeemed by the life, death, and resurrection of her Savior Jesus Christ.  Jesus was the center of her life as a wife, mother, teacher, friend, and worker in His Church.  She leaves a legacy of faith, hospitality, generosity, Christian example, and high standards. 

                The family wishes to extend warm thanks to all those who were caregivers of Will and Bernie in the past 2 years:  the staffs of Helping Hands, Northglenn Heights, Cherelynn Healthcare Center, Bonaventure Senior Living, The Center at Northridge, and St. Anthony’s North.

                Memorials may go to Zion Lutheran School or Concordia University Nebraska.

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