Bernice Batalden

Bernice Alva Batalden was born January 1, 1915, in Cerro Gordo Township, Lac Qui Parle County, MN, the daughter of Albert and Gitta (Lund) Kleven. She was baptized into the Christian faith in 1915, and confirmed at Lac Qui Parle Lutheran Church. Bernice attended country school in rural Appleton and graduated from Appleton High School. She then moved to Minneapolis where she was employed as a housekeeper until her marriage to Vernon Batalden on October 28, 1939. The couple made their home in rural Lamberton on Vernon's parents farm. To this union were born three sons; Loren, Jerome and Phillip.Bernice remained on the farm until 1985, when she moved into Lamberton. She was an active member of Highwater Lutheran Church and was very skilled at quilting and hardanger. Bernice Alva Batalden died Saturday, April 12, 2008, at her home in Lamberton. She is survived by sons- Jerome (Bernice Knakmuhs) Batalden of Thief River Falls, MN, and Phillip (Deborah Wolf) Batalden of rural Lamberton; 7 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; and brother-in-law- Morris Simonson of Dawson, MN. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband Vernon in 1982; son Loren; granddaughter Tracy Batalden; brothers- Hiram in infancy, Helmer, Irvin, Severin, and Andy Kleven; and sisters- Evelyn in infancy, Glenda Moen, Thora Trelstad, Stella Morris, and Evelyn Simonson.