Bernice Nees
MARQUETTE, MI – Bernice J. Nees, age 77, of Chocolay Township, entered eternal life Tuesday, December 8, 2020, at UP Health System – Marquette.
Born August 23, 1943, in Midland, Michigan, a daughter of Leslie and Irene (LaBelle) Croschere, Bernice was the third oldest child in the family and was raised in Marquette. She attended grade school and high school at Bishop Baraga, graduating in 1961. Bernice began her working career at the Northland Hotel and also enrolled at Northern Michigan University. In 1965, she met her future husband, Fred Nees, at the Roosevelt Inn and it was love at first sight. Bernice was a good dancer and that especially captured Fred’s attention. Fred was serving in the military at the time and couldn’t take his eyes off of her. They began dating, got engaged, and on May 7, 1966 were married at St. Christopher Catholic Church. In the following years, 1967 and 1968, two wonderful daughters were born. Following Fred’s honorable military discharge in 1968, the couple built their first home in Marquette. While the children were young, Bernice was a stay at home mom, who enjoyed sewing, knitting, crocheting, gardening, craftwork, and camping all over the UP with her family. Everyone loved her handmade slippers, doll clothes, and her B-bears. She enjoyed having gatherings at her home, hosting large dinners, and gathering around the kitchen table for coffee with family and friends. She and Fred often enjoyed taking Sunday drives. Bernice loved to take scenic car rides with her sisters and niece Anna fondly referred to as a triple A tour, and going with her children, sisters, and brothers-in-law to the casinos where she frequently had lucky moments. She loved collecting rocks that appeared to have funny face formations. An avid reader, her favorite author being Charles Todd, while her love of music was fashioned after her favorite singer, Bob Seger. Bernice loved to go shopping, but when it came to shoes she often struggled to find shoes for her small feet. Allen Shoes in Bay City solved her shoe dilemma with she and Fred often stocking up on her size. The salespeople knew her on sight and fulfilled her requests while Fred often would go out for a walk. In 1978, Bernice returned to the workforce, first at the Holiday Inn for about five years and then as a desk clerk at the Ramada Inn. In the 1990’s, she was employed with MFC Bank and later returned to the Holiday Inn working in the finance department. She retired in 2010. Throughout the years, the couple continued to build, renovate, and build again, estimating they had moved 18 times.