Bernice Nygaard

Dates

Obituary

Bernice Nygaard, 83, of Mitchell, SD, passed away Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at Avera Brady Health and Rehab Center in Mitchell, SD. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in Portal, ND.

Bernice Lavone Nygaard was born August 16, 1941, to Oliver and Ida Johnson in Powers Lake, ND.

She was baptized, confirmed, attended school, and was apart of the Lutheran Faith Church in McGregor, ND. Shortly after, Bernice moved to Lincoln, Kansas where she was united in marriage to Gary D. Smith.

To this union she had two children, Lavon and Ricky. Gary and Bernice later divorced. After, she moved back to McGregor, ND where she worked at the cafe. She was also a housekeeper on a farm in Portal, ND for Leonard Nygaard. She cared for his three small children, plus her two children. Bernice and Leonard eventually married, and were blessed with two more children. They were a blended family and raised their 7 children together. Bernice and Leonard also owned/operated L and B Bar in Portal, ND. Bernice moved to town after Leonard passed away in 1987 while still bartending, and cleaned at the meat processing plant as well as the US Port of Entry. She served on the Portal park board where Bernice loved to take care of the beautiful flowers. Due to her health declining her son Bruce, his wife Lisa, and family moved her to Mitchell, SD in the fall of 2016 until her recent passing.

Bernice was most well known for her larger then life personality everyone knew "Bernie" or soon would as she served up a mean cocktail/beer with one of her one liners or "Dirty Jokes". Bernie's huge welcoming smile, loud contagious laugh and kind heart drew you right in. Bernice loved nothing more then hosting huge family gatherings, parties, and community events. Some of Bernice's hobbies included baking for the whole town, family and friends, puzzles, writing letters/cards, collecting bells, crossword puzzles, winning at bingo, taking care of her many plants, and drinking coffee. Bernice's philosophy was she could never have enough dangly ear rings, & red, pink, blue, or purple colored hair. Bernice greeted anyone she cared about with her famous "Kissy Kissy" with her bright redder than red lipstick. Bernice's cherished possession was not all the "stuff" she collected & decorated with, but her 7 beloved children, grandchildren, both her Lisa's, her big family and friends. Bernice was also referred to as "Grandma Kitty" or Grandma Bernice by many.

Bernice's wish was being donated to science, at the University of South Dakota Department of Sanford School of Medicine. She was very proud with being able to help students learn about the human body, she bragged to every one about it.

Bernice is remembered by her three children, Lavon (Harrison) Fowler of Williston, ND, Brenda Martinson of Jamestown, ND, and Bruce (Lisa) Nygaard of Mitchell, SD; three stepchildren, Gayle (Paul) Soderquist of Lincoln, ND, Kenny (Carrie) Nygaard of Portal, ND, and Jeanne (Ron) Stein of Minot, ND; daughter-in-law, Lisa Smith of Portal, ND; sisters, Vivian (Roger) Johnson Minot, ND, Della Soiseth and partner Leon Moe of Tioga, ND; 19 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; stepsister, Joyce Johnson; stepbrother, Corkey (Lois) Johnson; sister-in-law, Kathy Johnson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Leonard; son, Ricky Smith; parents, Oliver and Ida Johnson; stepfather, Chester; brother, Larry; stepbrother, Larry; granddaughter, Alisha PitFord; great-granddaughter, Brooklyn Martinson; and brother-in-law, James Soiseth.