Bernice Gertrude Shank

Bernice Gertrude Shank, age 86 of River Falls, WI and formerly of Viroqua, died Tuesday, October 24, 2006 at the River Falls Area Hospital. She was born August 17, 1920 in Tevera, WI, which is near Soldiers Grove. Her parents were Clarence and Mabel (Mickelson) Tilley. She was united in marriage to Jack Louis Shank on June 23, 1943. The couple resided in LaCrosse until 1945 when they moved to Viroqua. While they lived in Viroqua, they were members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Bernice sang in the choir, served as the accompanist for Sunday School, and directed the Youth Choir. Bernice had continued her education and worked as an elementary school teacher. She taught at Yankee Town, Liberty Pole, and Viroqua Elementary School. Bernice and Jack moved to River Falls in 1966 and there she taught at the University of Wisconsin Lab School until her retirement in 1987. Jack died on December 11, 2004. Bernice is survived by her daughter, Jeanne Shank of Plymouth, MN. She is also survived by her god-daughter, Barb Black of Rockford, IL; three god-sons: Arthur and Michael Tilley of Madison, WI; and Nathan Sletten of Maple Grove, MN; and a special friend, Deloris Hokland of Viroqua. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jack; two brothers: Lawrence and Arthur Tilley; a brother-in-law, Donald Shank; and her mother and father-in-law: Ellen and Jesse Shank. Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 27, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Viroqua. Pastors Lindsay Jordan and John Henning will officiate with burial in the Viroqua Cemetery. Friends may call on Friday after 10:00 a.m. at the church. Memorials can be made to the Childrens Library at Ezekiel Lutheran Church in River Falls. The Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home of Viroqua is serving the family.