Bernice E Bialas, age 86, of Parkston, SD died Thursday, November 4, 2021 at Avera St. Benedict Hospital in Parkston, SD. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Monday, November 8, 2021 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Dimock, SD with burial at Immanuel Cemetery, Dimock, SD. Visitation will be from 5PM - 6PM Sunday, November 7, 2021 at Immanuel Lutheran Church with a prayer service beginning at 6PM.

Bernice Bialas was born June 29, 1935 at St. Joseph Hospital in Mitchell, SD. Her parents are Oscar and Elizabeth (Zirpel) Gerlach She was baptized then confirmed April 10, 1949 at St. John Lutheran Church, Hillside, Rural Dimock, SD.

Bernice was united in marriage with Lawrence on October 21, 1954 at St. John Lutheran Church, Hillside.  Together they farmed west of rural Dimock on the county line until 2010, then moved to Parkston, SD.

Bernice was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, active in LWML Ladies Aid, church choir, bible study, and serving her community with a heart for Jesus.

Bernice enjoyed entertaining with in-laws and many friends, shopping for clothes, decorating her home, cooking large family meals, baking (especially chocolate chip cookies for her grandchildren).  She loved looking for antiques and at recipe books discovering new creations. Bernice was always ready for coffee time which usually accompanied something sweet. She was an excellent cook!  She frequently met and enjoyed card club, birthday celebrations and local antique club.  Bernice was a Stanley/Fuller and Watkins dealer for over 25 years.  She had helpful advice for cleaning anything as well as for all of life's many ups and downs, with a bottle of degreaser or with words. She loved get-togethers playing cards, watched Twins baseball with Lawrence. She loved her soap operas, Hallmark Channel, and old TV shows. But most of all she enjoyed spending time with the love of her life, her companion Lawrence. In fact, Lawrence couldn't even take a load of hogs to town without her riding along. Always stopping for coffee.

Bernice looked forward to having her kids at home and started dreading their departure as soon as they walked in the door.  She so enjoyed visits from her daughters and many grandchildren and great grandkids.  She always had a to-do-list for her 3 girls and advice for her 2 boys.  Bernice was extremely generous and would send everyone home with food and/or something that you said that you admired.

Bernice loved Lawrence and spoke highly of him, how he did the grocery shopping, ran errands, drove her where she wanted to go and took such good care of her.  Bernice would say and write "I am thankful", "My husband loves me and cares for me" and "talk a little louder!". Bernice loved and enjoyed her in-laws and friends of who she had many and their Saturday night's out for supper and bowling nights.

Those who remain to grieve her death and rejoice in her new life in Heaven are her husband Lawrence of 67 years, son, Michael Bialas, Sioux Falls, Daughters; Beth (Michael) Hranicky, El Lago TX., MayDene (Todd) Juhnke Lincoln, NE.,  Diane (Joel) Hebrink Omaha, NE., and son Tom (fiancé Sherry Hunhoff) Bialas, Dimock SD., grandchildren, Christen (Tim) Wermers, Sioux Falls, SD, Matt (Danielle) Bialas, Sioux Falls, SD, Emily Bialas, Harrisburg, SD, Mandy (Zach) Heidenreich, Horace, ND, Ella Hranicky, El Lago, TX, Evan Juhnke, Tekamah, NE, Paige Juhnke (fiancé Stephen Henry), St. Petersburg, FL, Neal Juhnke, Lincoln, NE, Anthony Hebrink, Sioux Falls, SD, Taryn Bialas, Dimock, SD, and Ben Bialas, Dimock, SD. , great grandchildren Sophie and Stella Wermers, both of Sioux Falls, SD and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, brother Walter Gerlach and two infant grandsons Theo and Nicholas Bialas.

The Bialas family wishes to acknowledge with deep appreciation the many comforting messages, floral tributes, prayers and many other expressions of kindness.  Thank you for keeping us in your daily prayers.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17