Bernice Ann Doerge

Bernice Ann Doerge, 103 of St. Charles, died Sunday, June 14, 2026 at Whitewater Health Services.

Bernice Ann Suess was born June 22, 1922, to William and Neva (Sasse) Suess in St. Charles at the home of her grandfather, Charles E. Sasse. She attended rural schools in Elysian, MN and graduated from Janesville High School in 1939. She attended teacher training and taught in Elba school until her marriage to Harold M. Doerge in St. Charles, MN in 1944. She then worked at Mayo Clinic for several years while Harold was serving overseas. They then lived in Stewartville from 1948 – 1956 before moving back to St. Charles. Bernice then attended Winona State and taught school in Elba again until closing in 1970. Bernice taught at St. Francis in Rochester from 1971-1974 and was a substitute teacher in Dover-Eyota and in St. Charles Schools.

Harold died of a heart attack in 1965. Bernice was a member of St. Francis Unit of St. Anne’s Society of which she was chairman for fourteen years. She was a member of the Rosary Society of which she was secretary/treasurer for eleven years. She was a member of The American Legion Auxiliary of which she was secretary under Eileen Mathison when Eileen was president. She did volunteer work at the Assisted Living in St. Charles for five and a half years. Bernice was on the Board of Directors of Semcac for four years and delivered Meals on Wheels with Edie Holm.

Over the years, she enjoyed many trips with her family members, often going to visit extended family in other states. She hosted Thanksgiving family dinners and Christmas Eve celebrations for forty years. She enjoyed reading, keeping house, working in her yard and most of all, being with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Survivors include two sons, Gary (Pam) of St. Charles and Greg (Mary) of Rochester; three daughters, Susanne Kuhlmann and Sylvia Doerge both of Rochester and Deidre (Don) Littlefield of St. Charles; eleven grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold; daughter, Teresa Doerge; brother, Jack (Pat) Suess; sister, Donna Suess; and a nephew, Mike Suess.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m., Saturday, June 20, 2026 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church with the Reverend Jonathan Fasnacht officiating. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Friday at Hoff Funeral & Cremation Service in St. Charles and one hour prior to Mass at church. She will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery.

Hoff Funeral & Cremation Service – St. Charles is assisting the family with arrangements. www.hofffuneral.com.