Obituary of Bernice Rose Graham

Bernice Rose Graham (nee Altrogge), age 85, died on February 8th, 2020 in Regina, Saskatchewan. Bernice was predeceased by her husband Clifford; daughter Dawna; parents Joesph and Sophie; brothers Al, Willie, Ray, Edwin, and Bob; and sister Dorothy.

Bernice will be lovingly remembered by sons Kelly (Mardelle), and family, Shaun (Diana) and Adam; Lonnie (Laura) and family Shay and Bria; and daughters Terri (Mark) and family, Kyla (Blair) and Justin; Sydney (Brian) and family, Jacqueline (Adam), and Cody; and Dawna’s family Darrell, Georgia (Chad) and Emilee; great grandchildren: Quillan, Carter, Noah, Levi and Braxton; sister Corienne (Tony), and brothers Leo, and Vernon (Marg), as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Bernice was the second youngest of ten children born to Joseph and Sophie Altrogge. She was born in Cudworth, Saskatchewan and was raised on the family farm near St.Benedict. Bernice had many fond memories of growing up on the farm and often shared her stories and memories with her children and grandchildren. A highlight for Bernice was the last family reunion held at the family farm in the summer of 2015.

As a young woman, Bernice left the farm and moved to Saskatoon to further her education at Saskatoon Business College. There she met the man who would become her partner in life and she married Clifford Graham in August, 1956. Bernice and Cliff settled in Outlook, where they raised their five children. Bernice always had a strong work ethic, holding a number of positions with various businesses in Outlook, including a period of time when her entrepreneurial skills shone and she opened up a shoe store. Ultimately, Bernice started her career with Canada Post where she worked until she retired. When Bernice wasn’t busy with work and raising her children, she could be found on the golf course, or curled up with a book, or visiting with friends. With all their children grown and gone from home, Bernice and Cliff moved to Regina. In 2005, following Cliff’s passing, Bernice moved to Lethbridge where she enjoyed many active and entertaining years. In 2016, she moved back to Regina to be near her daughters.

Bernice’s greatest joy was being a grandmother to 10 and great grandmother to 5. Her grandchildren have many fond memories of Grandma Bernice including:

Grandma always made an effort to create distinction when referring to her kids, grandkids and great grandkids. Pretty sure she did this so she could call all of them her “favorite”. As in “happy birthday to my favorite first born grandson!”

In my early teens, Grandma gifted me with an Altrogge history book after I showed a keen interest and asked a ton of questions when reading hers.

Golfing with Grandma in the Spring of 2016 in what turned out to be her last game.

Grandma teaching us how to make her pop bottle butterflies and trying to replicate her scratch art. Ours were never as good as Grandma’s.

Whenever we asked Grandma what was for lunch, she’d say something along the lines of, “frog legs and toadstools and a pine float.”

Grandma’s way of saying “Shush” or “Zip it”, with a twinkle in her eye and a sly smile, after any of my wisecrack remarks.

Every time my kids (Grandma’s great grandchildren) visited, she would ask them, “Do you have a pocket?”, than she would fish two loonies out of her change purse and put one in each of their pockets. They would grin from ear to ear.

Grandma took great pride in teaching the grandkids their first swear word. She also reinvented a beloved fairy tale, making it “Cinderbella and the Mugly Sisters” and recited it often.

Surprising Grandma for her 78th birthday when all her family from Alberta and Saskatchewan gathered in Medicine Hat. Grandma walked into the room, thinking she was going to be visiting with a granddaughter and her family……looking around, and suddenly realizing everyone was there!

These are just a few of the memories we will hold dear when we think of our Mom, Grandmother and Great Grandmother.

DUE TO THE CURRENT RESTRICTIONS, THE MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR BERNICE IS POSTPONED.

In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome donations to any woman’s shelter in honour of Bernice’s daughter, Dawna.