Bernice Asbridge

Bernice M. Asbridge, 84, Bismarck, died May 13, 2004, in a local care center. Services will be held at 10:30 AM Thursday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Bismarck, with the Rev. Laurie Natwick officiating. Burial will be in North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation will be from noon to 9:00 PM Tuesday, 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM Wednesday at Eastgate Funeral Service and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church. Bernice M. Asbridge was born September 7, 1919 in Bismarck, ND, the daughter of Sigurd O. and Nellie J. Jacobson Wenaas. She was raised in Arena, ND until her family moved to Bismarck. She attended schools in Bismarck, graduating from Bismarck High School in 1937. Bernice and Donald G. Asbridge were married on March 1, 1942. Bernice worked as bookkeeper for the A.W. Lucas Company from 1937-1942, as a clerk-typist for the Burleigh County Auditor's office from 1946-1948, and as a Machine Bookkeeper in the Burleigh County Auditor's office from 1955 - 1959. Bernice served as the 2nd Deputy Auditor for Burleigh County before becoming the Burleigh County Auditor from 1959 to 1969 and again from 1978 to 1986. She was the North Dakota State Treasurer from 1968 to 1972. She was the North Dakota State Liquor Administrator from 1969 to 1972, an Investment Advisor for State Land Department from 1973 -74, and as a cashier and Accountant II for the State Land Department from 1975 - 1988. Bernice was very active in community and civic affairs. She was a member of the Bismarck Elkettes, where she served as a past president; past member of the Bismarck American Legion Auxiliary; past president of County Auditor's Association of North Dakota; past president of Bismarck's Business and Professional Women; and past chairman of the Burleigh County Cancer Society. Some other civic, philanthropic, and political activities Bernice was involved with were a lecturer consultant on county government for the University of North Dakota, the ND County Auditor's Legislative Committee of which she was a past chairman, past chairman of the ND County Officials Policy Planning Committee, Governor's Advisory Committee to Government Received Federal Funds, Civil Defense Burleigh County Administrator, North Dakota County Commissioner's association Associate Member, North Dakota Water Users Association, North Dakota Assessor's Association Associate Member, National Federation of Republican Women ND Program chairman, National Association of State Auditors, Treasurer's Comptrollers, and the National Association of State Liquor Administrators. She was Past Program Chairman for the North Dakota Federation of Republican Women, the Southwest District Director of Business Professional Women, the Bismarck-Mandan Executive Club associate member, and a member of the sons of Norway. Bernice is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Donna Joe LaFave of Bismarck; one son, Darold A. Asbridge of Bismarck; her grandchildren, Dawnice Kucera of Sparta, NJ, and George LaFave of Bismarck; one great-granddaughter, Skyler LaFave; her sister, Reggie Michael Wetch of Mandan; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Donald, her sisters, Mildred Gillen, Irene Lester Becker, Adeline Neibauer, and one brother, Sigurd O. Wenaas, Jr.

Bernice Asbridge

September 7, 1919 - May 13, 2004