Bernice Hertel

Sister Bernice Marie Hertel was born on December 29, 1928 in Roy, Oregon. She attended St. Francis Grade School in Roy, Hillsboro Union High School for two years and graduated from St. Mary of the Valley. Shortly after graduation in 1946, she entered the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon.

Sister Bernice Marie pursued a degree in Education and earned her Bachelor Degree from Marylhurst College in 1953. She taught mostly grades 3, 4 or 5, but also served as principal at Visitation School in Verboort for three years. She taught at the following locations: St. Mary of the Valley, St. Mary’s Home for Boys, St. John the Baptist in Milwaukie, Sacred Heart in Gervais, St. Stephen, Our Lady of Sorrows in Portland, St. Michael in Grande Ronde, St. Matthew in Hillsboro, St. Mary in Stayton, St. Boniface in Sublimity, St. Cecilia, Holy Trinity in Beaverton, Visitation in Verboort, and St. Francis in Roy.

During her forty years as a classroom teacher, she was known for dedication to both the students and their families. To this work she brought her faith and love for God’s people along with her strong work ethic, perseverance and the quest for more knowledge.

In 1989 Sister Bernice Marie transitioned from her teaching ministry to ministering to the senior citizens at Holy Cross Parish in North Portland. In 1998, she became a resident at the Alzheimer’s Unit at Maryville Nursing Home, and later transferred back to the Infirmary of the Sisters of St. Mary Convent, where she died on Thursday, August 12, 2010.

Sister is preceded in death by her brothers Raymond, Paul, and Joseph Hertel; and by sisters, Rena Herb and Viola Danley. She is survived by her brother Francis Hertel of Cornelius, her sister Helen Fessler of Portland, and her sister Gertrude Duyck of Hillsboro. She is also survived by many nephews and nieces, including Sr. Anna Hertel, SSMO, Sr. Catherine Hertel, SSMO, and Sr. Mary Peter Duyck, OSF.

Vigil Service –August 17 at 7:00 p.m. – Motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon

Mass of Christian Burial – August 18 at 4:00 p.m. – Motherhouse Chapel

Interment – August 19 at 9:00 a.m. in the Sisters’ Cemetery

Memorial offerings may be directed to the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon Retirement Fund.

May she rest in God’s embrace!

Arrangements under the direction of Pegg, Paxson & Springer Funeral Chapel, Beaverton, OR.