Bernice Askeland

Bernice Rose (Smith) Askeland, 84, of Simms, MT died June 22, 2017 at Peace Hospice in Great Falls, MT.Bernice was born April 22, 1933 in Malcolm, MN to Thomas and Hazel Smith. Raised on the homestead, Bernice was the eldest of 13. She attended Benville Country School and Goodridge High School, graduating in 1951. She lived in Goodridge and worked at the Goodridge Co-op Store.At age 20, she married Selmer Askeland. In August of 1953, the newlyweds moved to Montana. Bernice worked as a homemaker as their family grew to 3 children. She also supported her husbands efforts to further his education.In 1959, the family moved to Simms, MT. Bernice was very active in the community, joining many civic and fundraising groups for the Simms Elementary and High School and Fort Shaw-Simms Elementary schools. Bernice was a member of Sun River Valley Lions Club, assisted with American Red Cross Blood Drives in Simms until 2005, and a member of the Simms United Methodist Church. Over the years, 2 more children were born to the couple.In 1983, Bernice began working for M. M. Moore Insurance of Cascade. In 1987, Bernice became co-owner of the Good Food Country Store in Great Falls and operated the business with husband Sam until retiring and closing the store in 2001.She is survived by sisters Ida Stanley, Eleanor Carlson, Kaye Wilkens, and Donna Smith; brothers Roger Smith, Duane Smith, Dean Smith and Ralph Smith; her 5 children Sheila (Tim) Crosmer of Stanford, MT, Kevin (Bonnie) Askeland of Great Falls, MT, Craig (Wanda) Askeland of Fort Shaw, MT, Cynthia (Eric) Thorsen of Bigfork, MT and Eric (Alison) Askeland of Longview, WA.; 12 grandchildren Pamela (Kurt) Myllymaki, Rikki (Jere) Lehman, Andrea (Gary) Bell, Karena Askeland, Jared Askeland, Jonathan (Jade) Askeland, Darraya Peterson, Dayton Peterson, Gabrielle Thorsen, Madelaine Thorsen, Leo Askeland and Luke Askeland; and 13 great grandchildren Kameron Myllymaki, Kady Myllymaki, Chase Lehman, Cadence Lehman, Colt Lehman, Blakelee Bell, Walker Bell, Trey Mounts, Brady Mounts, Kyle Mounts, Kai Graves, Kooper Askeland and Kellan Askeland.Bernice was preceded in death by her husband, Sam; parents; brothers William Smith and Ronald Smith; sisters Helen Rein and Marlene Patty Schramske; grandson Jerry Black; and great grandchild Landon Mounts.A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 22, 2017 at the United Methodist Church in Simms, Montana at 2:00 p.m. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in Bernices name to be sent to the Simms United Methodist Church, the Sun River Valley Lions Club, or a Charity of donors choice.