Bernice Watkins-Gentz

Bernice (Brandenburger) Watkins-Gentz, 91, of Ellendale, ND died December 16, 2021 at Prince of Peace Care Center, Ellendale. Funeral services will be 2pm Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at Christ the King Lutheran Church, Ellendale with Rev. Lucinda Nygard Lien officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be at Ellendale City Cemetery. Arrangements by Hoven Funeral Chapel, Ellendale, ND. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of the Red River Valley, 1701 38th St. S, Suite 101, Fargo, ND 58103-4499. Bernice was born August 9, 1930 to Alfred and Lydia (Goehner) Brandenburger at their home near Monango, ND. She attended country school and then Ellendale Public School graduating in May 1948. On November 5, 1948 she married Bueford “Bud” Watkins. They soon left for California where they started raising their five children. In 1958 they returned to several places in South Dakota and finally in November 1965 to Ellendale, ND. Bud died in March 1991. Bernice married Elmer Gentz in February 1995 at The Little White Chapel in Las Vegas. Elmer died in July 2001. Bernice continued living at their home until Christmas Day 2015 when she had a stroke and then resided in Evergreen Place for three years. She then moved to Prince of Peace where she resided until her death. Bernice was always working in the food industry at some level. Waitress at the S&M Café, pastry chef at the Nodak Café, cook at UND-EB college cafeteria, teller at Ulmers Jack & Jill, cook at the Nodak, The ranch and The Fireside restaurants. When she and Bud went south she was cook at the “Dude Ranch” in Wickenburg, AZ. She especially enjoyed cooking for large family gatherings. She and Bud were on a mixed bowling league for a few years. Bernice continued on with a woman’s league after Bud could no longer bowl. She did some sewing when the kids were growing up. She loved card games of all types and board games. The grandchildren all wanted to win, but seldom did. She enjoyed her Friday Pinocle games with her card ladies, Saturday Bingo at the Legion and any casino she could get to. Survivors include her children, Elaine Watkins, Aberdeen, SD, Victor (Maggie Mitchell) Watkins, Norman, OK, Cindy (Brent) Nell, Susan (Randy) Merkel both of Ellendale, ND; sisters Marion Muske, Dianna Rogelstad; brothers Marvin (Jean) Brandenburger, Paul (Pricilla) Brandenburger; 7 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren, 6 great-great grandchildren and many many nieces and nephews and their families. Bernice was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, son Chester Watkins, grandson Chad Watkins, four brothers and two sisters. Casket bearers will be her grandchildren and spouses. Patrick Sand, Cody (Deanna) Sand, Samuel (Caroline Hemmer) Sand, Kendall Welbeck, Kelli (Chris) Hanson, Kristen (Justin) Fetsch and Carol Hudson. Honorary are all her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.