Bernice Dolezal

Bernice Alvina (Gotch) Dolezal, 96, of Emerson, NE, passed away Saturday, May 19, 2018 at Heritage of Emerson in Emerson, NE. Funeral services will be Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Pender; Pastor Randall Herman will be officiating. The visitation will be Tuesday, May 22, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Pender.  Burial will be at Rosehill Cemetery in Pender.  Memorials are suggested to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Pender.  Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Pender, NE.  Bernice Gotch was born April 19, 1922, to Harry and Alvina (Barge) Gotch in rural Emerson, NE.  She attended country school in rural Emerson.  Bernice married Frank S. Dolezal on February 3, 1951 in Omaha, NE.  Together the couple had five children.  In 1960, the couple moved to a farm near Pender and lived there until 2008.  Bernice loved living and raising her family on the farm.  She enjoyed gardening, baking, bowling and spending time with her friends and family.  In 2010, Bernice moved to Heritage of Emerson due to her declining health.  Bernice is survived by her daughter, Anita Stuckenschmidt of Fullerton, NE; sons, Loren (Teri) Dolezal of Hubbard, NE, Duane Dolezal of Sioux City, IA, Mark (Maxine) Dolezal of Pender, NE, Gerald (Jennifer) Dolezal of Lyons, NE; 17 grandchildren; 37 great grandchildren; 10 great-great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.  Bernice was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Alvina Gotch; husband, Frank S. Dolezal; sisters, Margaret Rasmussen, Helen Johanson; and brother, John Gotch.