Bernice Catherine (Miller) Volk was born to Frank and Philomena (Schmaltz) Miller on May 23, 1938, in Orrin, ND, where she was raised and educated. She was united in marriage to Paul Volk on October 8, 1956, in Orrin at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. They traveled to many different states following the oilfield, until they finally settled in Watford City in 1963. They were married for 52 years. They enjoyed dancing in their younger years and gardening in the latter years. Bernice was a stay-at-home mom until all of her children graduated high school and then started her career at the Good Shepherd Home in the Laundry Department. She took tremendous pride in her work, folding things just so and enjoyed showing her grandchildren her place of work during the Easter Egg hunts they had there.

Bernice was talented in many areas, but especially with vegetable and flower gardening, as her thumb was Emerald Green for sure (her favorite color). Her prize cabbages, corn, carrots – etc. were pictured in the McKenzie County Farmer many times. She also entered items in the McKenzie County fair winning many ribbons. Bernice made sure that her children knew the importance of education and religion. She continued her own education later in life, working toward receiving her GED. Bernice wrote a weekly newspaper column for the Drake, ND paper called “Round Lake Ripples” for a time and had a lot of fun doing that. She was an active member of the Epiphany Catholic Church, where she participated in the Women of Epiphany and Alter Society. Her Catholic faith was very important to her. Bernice loved playing Bingo and the slots at the Casino, she was very lucky at both – but was just lucky at winning in general. Bernice shared a love of collecting cookbooks – always saying “I only have one cookbook” each time she received a new one and loved to cook, bake and can. She made the best jelly. Bernice loved to go hunting with her son and would clean and butcher deer on the dining room table. She volunteered for her son's Cub Scouts, daughter’s Campfire Girls, raised money for the March of Dimes for years and was always helping older friends/neighbors in town when she was able. Bernice had a great smile, an awesome laugh and a fun sense of humor. She loved babies and was the best grandma when her grandchildren were young – always playing games, going for walks to the park, feeding them junk and often times watching them in the evenings or after-school. She tried to attend as many activities of her grandchildren as she could and was very proud of them all. Bernice enjoyed Holiday gatherings and was famous for her Knox Blox. She enjoyed spending time with her family and visiting with friends on the phone in later years. Lucy and Lorna were very special friends to her. She was proud to be a great-grandmother as well.

Bernice passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 15, 2023, at her home in Watford City with her son by her side.

Bernice is survived by her loving family; son, Robert Volk and friend Diane, Watford City, daughters, Beverly Volk and friend Tom, West Palm Beach, Florida and Joanne (Brian) Allex, Watford City; three grandchildren, – Brianna (Ryan) Chaffee, Watford City Brandon Allex, Watford City and Bridget Allex, Duluth, MN; one great-granddaughter, Klara, one great-grandson due next week; two sisters, Mabel (Myron) Cunning, Gold Canyon, AZ and Anna Volk, Rugby, ND; numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Bernice was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Philomena; stepfather, Friedrich W. Nissen; her husband of 52 years, Paul; three brothers, Christian, Roy and Johnnie; two sisters, Margareta Miller and Irene Wolfe.