Bernice Louise Pahl Jensen was born June 26, 1929 in St. Mary's Hospital, Minneapolis, Minnesota to Theodore and Lorraine (Hawkins) Pahl. Being the eldest of seven, she had her share of caring for younger siblings and doing here share of work in the fields. Land was important. The Pahl's first settled in the Fort Snelling area.  This was known as a Franconian German settlement along the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers.  Bernice's Great Grandpa and brothers were truck farmers in Germany (6 ^th Century AD Franconia, Europe) and were known for being the Best or King of the Rhubarb in both the United States and Europe.

The Pahl family had 160 acres of prime farmland in the Lyndale Avenue area. While owned by the Pahl's, the acreage was divided between 5 brothers. After 4 married brothers received 34 acres, Ted received 18 acres and the house on the land. Ted's sisters received cash for their dowry. All the land was eventually bought out by the State of Minnesota for the development of the major freeways; currently Interstate 35 W runs through the property.

Bernice attended Assumption Catholic Elementary School. She was voted Homecoming Queen her senior year and graduated from Bloomington High School.

Bernice Pahl and Robert (Bob) Jensen were married September 21, 1948. Bernice worked at Bell Telephone and Bob at the Minneapolis Moline Plant.

In 1949, they purchased their first land endeavor; a dairy farm in New Market which is now developed into five-acre horse farms. In 1957, they moved to Farmington / Lakeville with 160 acres of prime farm soil. They developed the first free standing milking parlor with pipeline - in Dakota County - dug a well irrigating with the pipe, boom and wheel system and later a center pivot.  Chores kept life interesting including milking cows morning and night as well as raising 11 children.

Bernice was a devout Catholic. She helped prepare and serve "loaves and fishes" in the downtown Minneapolis area. She helped serve at funerals and shared the rosary. She accompanied Bob through his 30 plus years of political experiences. She shared family recipes that can be found in the House of Representatives Wives Cookbook.

After all the kids left the nest, Bernice decided she could return to work. She was so proud of her many years employment with Sears. She loved to dress professionally for work in the Customer Service and Jewelry departments at Burnsville Center and the Mall of America. She gained confidence and self-esteem.

After selling their Lakeville property, they bought a Rosemount townhouse, an Arizona home and invested in land in CA, WI and MN.

They spent several warm winters in Mesa, Arizona. They could always find a project to work on remodeling several homes in the park. Bernice loved the fresh grapefruit, oranges, lemons and tangelos. She could also be found on scavenger rock finds which Bernice would paint into rabbit, squirrels and various other animals. She also made several sets of unique jewelry. Visiting with family and friends on the nice warm patio was one of Bernice's greatest joys.

After Bob passed, Bernice sold her townhouse and moved to Highview Hills Senior Living Residence in Lakeville. Some of her daughters referred to her new residence as her "penthouse suite."  She was Resident of the Month, enjoyed Bingo, Bunco, new friends, meals prepared for her, and the weekly Catholic Rosary and Communion Service held at the facility.

She raised independent thinkers and knew she had lots of different personality traits in all her children. She would stress "do the right thing even when no one is looking."

Bernice is survived by 10 children; Jane (Kirby) Smith, Ken (Patti) Jensen, Doris (Steve) Wilson, Beverly (Bruce) Rydeen, Jerry Jensen, Sarah (Jack) Matasosky, Mary (Gary) Morgan, Willy (friend Pam Siple) Jensen, Tom (Lori) Jensen, Kate (Eric) Herness; siblings Gwen Lawrence, John (Debbie) Pahl; in laws Donna Pahl, Jeanne Pahl, Ray Keller, Camilla (Stanton) Lilly.

Bernice is also survived by 17 grandchildren; Zack Jensen, Michael Jensen, Jonathon Jensen, Amy Jensen Sagastume, Nicole Wilson Preston, Marc Wilson, Brian Rydeen, Brenda Rydeen Miller, Tasha Jensen Johnson, Keith Jensen, Jackson Matasosky, Brian Morgan, Samantha Morgan, Lindsay Jensen Krupich, Kelsey Jensen, Hans Herness and Heidi Herness Hanson.

Bernice is survived by 27 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews as well as many long time friends.

Bernice is preceded in death by her husband, Bob; her beloved son Bernard (Bernie); her parents, Theodore and Lorraine Pahl; her siblings, Sister Kenneth Pahl, Frank Pahl, LaWanda Pahl Keller, Joe Pahl; and in laws, Jim and Ruth Jensen, Larry Lawerence, Tonete and Vern Jensen.

A Memorial Mass and Celebration of Life ceremony will be held 11:30 AM Thursday, June 24, 2021 at All Saints Catholic Church, 19795 Holyoke Ave., Lakeville. Visitation from 9-11 AM at White Funeral Home, 20134 Kenwood Tr., Lakeville prior to service at church. Interment, St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery, Farmington.

God bless you and keep you, Mom, until we meet again.  We thank God for giving us a wonderful mom.  We are forever grateful!  Bye Mom, Love, Your kids.

Memorial contributions may be made to All Saints Catholic Church.

Online condolences at: www.whitefuneralhomes.com