Bernice O'Hara

On Thursday, August 28, Bernice O'Hara, a longtime resident of Bismarck passed away. Funeral services will be at 10:30 am on Wednesday, September 3, at Spirit of Life Catholic Church in Mandan, with Rev. Msgr. Chad Gion officiating. Burial will be held at 12:00 Noon Wednesday, at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, with a rosary and sharing of memories to begin at 7:00 pm. Bernice Bohls was born on March 6, 1923 in Watertown, SD, the fourth of five daughters to Tony and Lucy Deville Bohls. She lived with her parents and sisters on a farm near Waverly where she graduated from high school. During high school she met Raymond Barnett O'Hara, a basketball player from nearby Goodwin and three years later they married. They lived and worked in Sioux Falls until Ray was called to serve in World War II; at which time Bernice went back to live with her parents near Waverly. Despite the war, 5 sons and 8 daughters were born to this union. Several small communities in SD were home to Ray and Bernice and their growing family as Ray worked for Standard Oil and played minor league baseball. In 1950 Ray gave up baseball and they moved to Huron to focus on raising their family, which was growing in size. Moving to Bismarck in 1961 thrilled Bernice as Ray promised her it was their last move. She settled into raising her family and Bismarck truly became home to the O'Hara's. Despite her family's size, Bernice's kitchen table always had room for another person or two and was especially crowded on those nights fried chicken was on the menu. Fearful of being caught short, she always fried 5 chickens. Some nights it was standing room only. When her youngest child began school, Ray wanted Bernice to join him on the golf course. Despite her objections, they were quite a dynamic duo; she for her very unusual golf swing; he for his Irish temperament. Riverwood was their home away from home and friends and family knew where to find them. A few years into Ray's early retirement, Bernice decided she needed to get out of the house and do something for herself. Thus was born a "new career" to her – that of the demo lady at the local grocery stores. She was a natural and was busy beyond her expectations but was not about to give it up. She made hundreds of friends and would remind Ray "I'm at a time when I can enjoy them – earlier I was too busy!!" Ray's death in 2000 left Bernice with deep sadness but with time came the opportunity to travel with her children and grandchildren to places she and Ray had not been in their own travels. Much to the amazement of her children who knew Bernice as a peacemaker, she found her voice and was eager to share her opinions. Her children were delighted to share in her new found independence and marveled at the hospitality she extended to all. She is survived by her daughters Pat John Smith, Peggy Jack Schwichtenberg, Jean Tom Welder all of Bismarck, Kathleen Ray Seidel of Denver, Julie Rick Tronson and Bridgette Braun, of Devils Lake; and Mary Stephanie Craig Geinert of Helena, MT; her sons Dan Sharon of Dallas, Dennis Sharon and Jim Lisa of Denver, David of San Antonio, and Brian Stacey of Dickinson; as well as 2 sisters, Antoinette Cordell of Omaha and Pauline Kranz of Watertown. Also given a priority status would be her 25 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, who all consider their lives richer for having had Mutti in theirs. Bernice was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ray, her daughter Carolyn and 2 sisters, Barbara Mack and Elizabeth Malloy.

Bernice O'Hara

March 6, 1923 - August 28, 2014