Bernice Mamer

Bernice Mamer, age 85, of Canby, Minn., passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, at the Sylvan Court Nursing Home in Canby. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21, at the St. Leo Catholic Church in St. Leo, Minn. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 20 at the Houseman Funeral Home-Birk Chapel in Canby with a prayer service at 7 p.m. and Rosary to follow. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at the St. Leo Catholic Cemetery.  Houseman Funeral Home-Birk Chapel in Canby is entrusted with the arrangements.

Bernice M. Mamer was born in St. Leo on January 4, 1938, to Frank and Isabelle (Jemming) Fry. She attended St. Leo Catholic School through the eighth grade and then attended Canby High School through the 12th grade.

On April 7, 1958, Bernice was united in marriage to John E. Mamer in St. Leo. She was a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary, serving as secretary, district secretary, district chaplain, head of the girls state program and head of Poppy Days in Rocky Ford, Colo.

Bernice worked for over 50 years in grocery stores and motels as a cashier and a guest service representative in Minnesota, Arizona, Colorado, and South Dakota.

She received a certificate from the American Hotel and Motel Association in cooperation with Best Western International for her professionalism in the hospitality industry.

For the past nine years, Bernice has been a resident at the Canby Sylvan Court Nursing Home.

She is survived by one sister, Dolores (Mel) Raml, Sioux Falls of .S.D.; sister-in-law, Barb Fry of St. Leo; former husband, John Mamer of Lake Preston, S.D., and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Isabelle Fry; sisters, JoAnn (Andy) Matthys and RoseMary (Leander) Citrowske; brothers, Ray (Dorothy) Fry and Robert Fry; and two nephews, Baby Matthys and Harlen Fry.