Bernice Irene Francis, 86, of Blooming Prairie died Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009 at Prairie Manor Care Center in Blooming Prairie.
She was born Oct. 26, 1923 in Elkton, Minn. to Charles and Alma (Asper) Kraft.
Bernice graduated from high school at Elkton, Minn. and was married to Merwin “Merv” Francis on Oct. 12, 1941 at the St. John’s Lutheran parsonage in Elkton.  They lived in Austin where Bernice worked for Dr. Duane Wallaker as well as being a homemaker. She was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church.
Bernice and Merv enjoyed many camping and fishing trips to northern Minnesota and playing cards with their friends. She also liked to play bingo and making an occasional trip to a casino.
Bernice was preceded in death by her husband Merwin “Merv” Francis in 2004 and her brother Raymond Kraft.
Bernice is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law: Bonnie and Lee  Smith, Farmington, Minn., Nancy and Ron McAllister, Austin, Lori Schleusner, Maryville, Mo.; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sister, Margaret Cooper, Sartell, Minn.; brother and sisters-in-law: Vernon and Nyla Kraft, Pipestone, Minn., Bernice Kraft, Austin; nieces, nephews and Cousins.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Dec. 28, 2009 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church with the Rev. Kristi Koppel officiating. Interment will be in Grandview Cemetery in Austin. Visitation will be at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary on Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. and for one hour before the service at the church on Monday.
Organist will be Neal Erickson.
Soloist will be Erin Schumacher.
Casket Bearers will be, Ronald Kraft, Darrell Kraft, Curtis Kraft, Scott Smith, Jared Smith and Ryan Schleusner.