Bernice Burns was born in Poulsbo to Norwegian immigrants Ole and Caroline (Gronning) Tangerose. She lived her entire life within two miles of her birth-home. While spending her adolescent and younger adult years caring for her ailing mother, Bernice developed great talent in cooking, sewing, crocheting and Hardanger embroidery. She graduated from Poulsbo Union High School in 1937 and married Warman “Bob” Burns in 1940.

They owned and operated the Idle Hour Recreation/Cafe from 1949 to 1975. Bernice was a lifetime member of the Sons of Norway where she spent countless hours volunteering in various capacities from cooking to crafts. As well, she was active with other facets of the Sons of Norway; a member of the award winning drill team, the traveling bowling league, and the Ladies Club since its inception. Bernice was Sons of Norway Person of the Year twice and a Poulsbo Historical Society charter member. Proud of her heritage, Bernice enjoyed fixing and eating many Norwegian dishes and desserts. She enjoyed playing pinnacle and solitaire, dancing, watching sports, eating chocolate, and above all caring for and bragging about her children and two grandchildren.

Bernice is survived by her son James (Leendert) Burns of Amsterdam, daughter Roseann (Larry) Mitchell of Poulsbo, granddaughter Rochelle (Christina) Mitchell of Edgewood, three great-grandchildren Jackson, Cooper, and Madison Marshall-Mitchell of Edgewood, brother-in-law Lewis (Alice) Burns of Arkansas, five nephews, ten nieces and their families, numerous cousins, and her friends at Montclair Park. She was preceded in death by her husband, grandson Lance Mitchell, four brothers and one sister.

A memorial social will be held at the Sons of Norway in Poulsbo on Sunday, Sept. 5, from 3-5 p.m. Donations may be made in Bernice’s honor to the Ladies Club of the Sons of Norway, PO Box 653, Poulsbo, WA 98370.