Norman and Bernetta's first home was in Chicago where Norman attended Chicago Lutheran Theological Seminary, Maywood, Illinois. Bernetta found employment as a bookkeeper at a bank, a seamstress in an exclusive dress shop, and a typist for a seminary professor.
Pastor Norman and Bernetta served Gloria Dei Lutheran Church (Lodgepole, Nebraska) and Grace Lutheran Church (Chappell, Nebraska) from 1948 to 1962; and St. John Lutheran Church (Bennington, Nebraska) from 1962 to 1987. Bernetta was a life-long servant of Christ through a myriad of church ministries. She shared her faith by guiding and nurturing children, youth, adults, and the elderly. She opened the Word of God by leading Bible studies and teaching. She elevated faith formation through liturgical arts and care for the sacred details of corporate worship. She carried the light of Jesus to everyone she met. People who knew Bernetta might have seen and experienced her ministry gifts through her teaching of5th Grade Sunday School and 7th Grade Catechism; Bible camp, Women of the ELCA; Vacation Church School; Luther League; Altar Guild; visitation; church dinners and generous gifts of food; parade floats; senior ministries; music leadership; friendship; banners, altar hangings, and handmade stoles; quilts; and wedding coordination. Bernetta was humble and giving, and she served tirelessly in faithful devotion to Christ, giving God the glory for shared blessings.
Bernetta and Norman retired from active congregational ministry in November of 1987 and moved from Bennington to rural Washington County. Bernetta was a loving and gentle caregiver to Norman until his death in 1990. In 2001 Bernetta moved to Immanuel Village in Omaha, Nebraska, where she continued her quiet ministries through a bell choir, fellowship activities, book club, Bible studies, as well as in the Over-Sixty Center and Keenagers in Bennington.
In 2005, Bernetta received the President's Call to Service Award. She served on the Bennington Planning Commission and was active in community life. Bernetta was a lifetime member of Midland Women. In 1997 Norman and Bernetta received the Midland Lutheran College Distinguished Family Award. Bernetta was a Girl Scout leader, a Cub Scout Den Mother, and a 4-H leader. Bernetta was honored by the Bennington Women's Club as Woman of the Year in 1979.
Bernetta's hobbies included crossword puzzles, sewing, quilting, cooking, gardening, leading sing-alongs, birding, learning to play the violin, and flying kites. Bernetta was a loving wife/mother/Oma to her family, delighting in sharing God's Word, music, games, meals, and conversations with her entire family. Norman and Bernetta often used live potted trees in their home for Christmas. Most of the evergreen trees at the St. John parsonage and their acreage were Christmas trees planted to point to the Lord in whose Name they lived and served and loved. At the time of her death, Bernetta was living at the Hooper Care Center.
Bernetta was preceded in death by her parents, loving husband Norman, infant son Karl, brothers Melvin (Doris), Clinton (Mildred), Myron Von Seggern, and Helmut Martin. She is survived by four children Miriam (Ken) Sukraw of Bennington, Nebraska; Jannene (Lyle) Sass of Blair, Nebraska; the Rev. Joel (Nancy)Schroeder of Hooper, Nebraska; and Loretta (the Rev. David) Schafer of Waukon, Iowa; eight grandsons, Mark (Angela) Sukraw; Christopher, Philip, and Andrew (Corie) Sass; Benjamin, Jacob, and Seth (Kylie) Schroeder; and Paul Schafer; five great-grandchildren Katherine, Elijah, and Hanna Sukraw, and Jacob and Elliott Sass; three sisters-in-law Lois Von Seggern, Evelyn Briza, and Hanna Martin; many nieces and nephews, other relatives, and a host of friends.
Praise and thanks be to God for the life of Bernetta Von Seggern Schroeder!
The memorial service will be 10:30am Thursday at the St. John's Lutheran Church, Cuming County Line. Burial will follow in the St. John Lutheran Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to St. John's Lutheran Church in Bennington and St. John's Lutheran Church, Cuming County Line.
Online guestbook at www.hooper-scribner.com
Condolences(8)
Rick and Kathy Watson
Omaha, NE Wednesday, December 30, 2015 So sorry for your loss. She was a lovely lady and we both consider it a privilege to have known her while we worked at Immanuel Village.Scott M. Albright
Omaha, NE Wednesday, December 30, 2015 My greatest sympathy to the family of Bernetta. The Love of Christ truly flowed through her. She brought joy and goodness to all who knew her. All lives were enriched by any people who met Bernetta.Connie Yoder
Omaha, NE Wednesday, December 30, 2015 Dear Miriam and Family,So sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. I know this is not an easy time for you. I did have the opportunity to meet your mother once at St. John's in Bennington. She indeed was a lovely lady.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you -- Connie Yoder and Family
Matt and Connie (Blazek) Wickham
Bennington, NE Wednesday, December 30, 2015 Mrs. Schroeder had such a wonderful, quiet grace about her. As I was growing up, I always remember that she was so kind, and always had a smile on her face. She and Rev. Schroeder contributed so much to the community of Bennington, and always made St. John's feel so welcoming. Our thoughts and prayers to all of her family members. She had such a love for everyone, and in turn, everyone loved, and respected her.Dee Micheel
Bennington, NE Tuesday, December 29, 2015 Miriam, Ken, Mark and Schroeder family members: So sorry to learn of the passing of Bernetta - she was one grand lady and so glad I got to know her when she was at St. John's. She always asked about Kari! She will be missed.Jonathan Ripke
Hooper, NE Tuesday, December 29, 2015 Joel and all of the Schroeder family,God's peace and comfort to you during this time. It was a pleasure to get to know Bernetta while serving at chapel at HCC. May God give you the comfort and hope of resurrection to life through His Son, Jesus.
In Him,
Jonathan, Megan, and Alice Ripke
Sharon Rogers
Pasadena, CA Tuesday, December 29, 2015 We too give thanks for Bernetta and her love to each one around her. God's love was shown in her thoughts and deeds. I believe that she saw this renewing love in the lives of her family entrusted to her. My mother Gretchen felt that both faith and trust with your mother. Thank you for caring for her these days of our life journeys.cindy hinkel
fremont, NE Monday, December 28, 2015 Dear Schroeder family. your mom was one of the loveliest people I was honored to have known in my life. she was always kind and a pleasure to visit with whenever I saw her. I am honored to have had the privilege of knowing both of your parents and of course all of you. they made a huge impact on my life....I will never forget them... "Christmas in Heaven" wow...God Bless you all,Happy memories!, love Cindy "Winn" Hinkel