Bernice Mavis Reitz

Bernice Mavis (Krull) Reitz, age 78, of Brookings, SD, formerly of the Willow Lake area, died at her home on December 1, 2022.

Bernice was born on May 24, 1944 in Lennox, SD to Ester (Poppen) and Bernard Krull. She grew up in Tea, SD and graduated in Bryant, SD. After high school; Bernice worked at the nursing home in Lake Norden, SD as a CNA.

On July 25, 1964, she married Dennis Henry Reitz at the Lutheran Church in Willow Lake, SD. They brought four children into the world; Sharon Myers 1964, Terrance Reitz SR. 1966, Todd Reitz 1967-1982, and Tereasa Clark 1973. Bernice and Dennis moved to a farm on Highway 25 between Desmet, SD and Willow Lake, SD. During this time, she worked at Chef Ready/McCains, the potato plant in Clark, SD.

Bernice enjoyed camping, (especially during the Fort Sisseton Festival), gardening, and baking and cooking for holidays and family gatherings. She loved to go to the thrift stores and rummage sales. She was an avid reader of cowboy novels, mysteries, cookbooks, magazines, and Reader's Digest. Bernice also enjoyed listening to country music, usually Johnny Paycheck, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, and Boxcar Willie.

She was preceded in death by her mother Ester, father Bernard Krull, sister Laura Christanson, Mother-in-law Margaret McPeek, husband Dennis Reitz, and a son Todd Reitz.

Bernice is survived by her children, Sharon (Jim) Myers of Huron, SD, Terrance Reitz SR. of Clark, SD, Tereasa (Bob) Clark of Brookings, SD; eight grandchildren, Gina (Bradley) Henson of Miller, SD, Shantel Bluhm of Sioux Falls, SD, Colt Bluhm of Sioux Falls, SD, Zara Myers of Sioux Falls, SD, Lee (Courtney) Reitz of Sioux Falls, SD, Tom (Emily) Reitz of Black River Falls, WI, Bryan (Rose) Clark, Nathan Clark of Brookings, SD; nine great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Graveside services are pending with Furness Funeral Home of Clark where there is an online registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com