Bernice “Bernie” Beattie, age 93, St. Croix Falls, passed away March 14th at the Christian Community Home – Osceola.

 Bernice was born April 22, 1930 to Gustav and Sophie (Boettcher) Lau at the Taylor Falls Hospital, Minnesota. She grew up and lived for 20 years on the Lau farm at Sand Lake before moving to Wisconsin Rapids, where she married John Goberville. Born to the union were two children, Joy Goberville and Brad Goberville. The marriage was dissolved in 1987. She later married Bill Beattie on June 7,1992 in Tucson, Arizona where they lived until moving back to St. Croix Falls in April 2005.

As a young girl she attended the Sand Lake School through the 8th grade. At the age of 9, Bernice and sisters Ruth and Carol were part of a troupe of entertainers, singing at various Fairs with George Kyle of Osceola, Wisconsin. George had been a clown with Barnum & Bailey and was very adept in the performance area. Since her sister Ruth was a teacher, she coaxed them into performing for a few PTA events as well.

Bernice attended St. Croix Falls High School, where she was very active in the Music Department, singing alto in the choir and playing trumpet in the band. She also sang in the church choir and performed solos at several weddings. Bernice took many courses during school in the Commercial Department under the direction of Helen Huber. These skills proved to be very valuable as she worked in the banking business for 25 years, starting with the 1st National Bank in St. Croix Falls at the age of 17. Bernice went on to be the Treasurer/ Loan Officer for Indianhead Credit Union in Spooner, WI for 7 years, before moving to Eau Claire, WI. In Eau Claire she became the personal Secretary to Sheriff Zeilsdorf before Royal Credit Union reached out to her to join their business as a Loan Officer/ Assistant Manager until 1980. Her final banking-related position was with a savings & loan in Eau Claire. Bernice loved volunteer work, contributing her time at Luther Hospital in Eau Claire, the Library in St. Croix Falls and working with the St. Croix Falls Historical Society, where she was the membership chairperson, helping whenever a checkbook needed to be balanced!

She loved her family, the holidays (especially Christmas and Easter), gardening, reading, horses and decorating their home.

Bernice is survived by daughter, Joy Goberville, Fitchburg, WI; son, Brad Goberville, Augusta, WI; grandson, Samuel Goberville; sister, Carol Berg; along with her extended family; stepson, James (Renee ) Beattie; step-grandsons, Nicholas (Danielle) and David Beattie; step-daughter, Julie Anderson (Ted), step -grandson, Hunter (Rachel); great step-grandson, Liam; brother-in-law, John Beattie; many nieces and nephews.

Bernice was preceded in death by her parents; former husband, John Goberville; husband, Bill Beattie; sister, Ruth Hjelle (Morris); brothers, Elmer Lau (Lorraine) and Robert Lau (Harriet), and brother-in-law, Ralph Berg.

A special thank you to the staff at Christian Community Home in Osceola, the nurses from Moments Hospice and for all who lovingly cared for Bernice.

Memorials given will be used for a remembrance planting at the cemetery.

Last Update: Mar 18, 2024 6:51 am CDT