Berneda Arlene “ Bernie” Soost, 86, of Wells, Minn., died Tuesday, Feb. 22, in Austin at St. Mark’s Lutheran Home.

Bernie was born Aug. 8, 1924, to Henry and Selma (Pautsch) Oelerking in Garfield County at Lahoma, Okla. She moved with her family to Wells and later moved to a farm near Walnut Lake where she helped her family in the farm operation. Berneda was confirmed on March 21, 1937, at First Lutheran Church in Wells and served as a Sunday School teacher. She was an active member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wells. Bernie attended Weston Country School and completed the eighth grade. On Feb. 7, 1944, Bernie was united in marriage to Walter F. Soost at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Easton, Minn. The union was blessed with 11 children. Bernie worked along side her husband for their electrical business and also worked for 12 years at Del Monte Canning Company in Wells. In later years, she ran an electrical repair business and made many friends. She was an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary where she served as past president and secretary. She was a member of the VFW and Fireman’s Auxiliaries. She served as the local Red Cross blood drive chairman for many years and 15 years as the Faribault County chairman. She volunteered as Cub Scout den mother. Bernie’s special interests included gardening, hunting, fishing with her family and doing beautiful embroidery of pillow cases and dish towels, which she gave to her family and friends. Her favorite thing was traveling to Northern Minnesota each summer to spend time with her family fishing.

Berneda is survived by 10 children, Elaine (Eugene) Huettner of Huntington Beach, Calif., Darlene (Ronald) Walth of Austin, Connie (Stephen) Kalis of Owatonna, Larry (Faith) Soost of Carlos, Minn., Irene Soost of Bloomington, Cheryl (Wayne) Minse of Wells, Joan (Scott) Rouse of Austin, Donald Soost of Ocala, Fla., Doris Beckmann of Austin, and Thomas (Julie) Soost of Lake Mary, Fla; 23 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; son-in-law, Wayne Marlett of Brevand, N.C.; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Mary Oelerking of Owatonna, Marie (Wallace) Haukoos of Estherville, Iowa, Doryce Soost of Wells, Edward (Bessie) Soost of Wells; many nieces and nephews; and her special friends Shirley Lesto and Lu Brown of Wells.

Berneda was preceded in death by her husband, Walter; daughter, Phyllis Marlett; two grandchildren, Anthony Cummings and Kimberlee Oachs; son-in-law, David Beckmann; brother, Melvin Oelerking; and parents Selma and Henry Oelerking.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, Feb. 26, at 10:30 a.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wells. Visitation will be Friday, Feb. 25, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells and will continue one hour prior the service at the church on Saturday. Pastor Kathy Fullarton will officiate, and burial will be in Rosehill Cemetery in Wells. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells is assisting with arrangements.