Bernice Gertrude (Ziegler) Marx, 100, passed away peacefully on December 14, 2023, at Maplewood Village Assisted Living Center in Sauk City, Wisconsin.   She was born on January 23, 1923, on a farm in the Pheasant Branch area of Middleton, Wisconsin, the 7th child of Henry and Gertrude (Kessenich) Ziegler.

Bernice graduated from Pheasant Branch State Graded School in 1936, and she graduated from Middleton High School in 1940.  Following graduation, she was employed by Pet Milk Company, Middleton.   She enjoyed her work as a bookkeeper and secretary.   On June 1, 1944, she married Vincent Nicholas Marx at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Middleton, Wisconsin, and together they raised nine children on their beloved farm on Mud Lake in Roxbury.    Vincent preceded her in death on October 21, 2004.  Following Vincent's death, Bernice remained living on the farm until age 91, when her health mandated relocating to Maplewood Village Assisted Living Center in Sauk City.

As a girl, Bernice described herself as a "bookworm."  She loved to read.  She could be found with her nose in a book.   She enjoyed playing softball with her siblings and cousins.   As a farm wife, raising a large family, Bernice grew her own vegetables and canned them.   She enjoyed sewing for her nine children, and she was an accomplished seamstress.   She was accomplished at needlepoint and knitting, and she took great pride in running her household.   She was especially known for her amazing memory.   She had amazing recall of genealogy and historical events.  She had beautiful handwriting, and she kept meticulous records.   She took an interest in current events until her death.   She loved caring for her husband, her family, and her home.  She was a member of St. Norbert Catholic Church in Roxbury, and a member of the Christian Mothers' Society.  She and Vincent loved their family and their farm.  She showed amazing strength and dignity following Vincent's death in 2004 after 60 years of marriage, as well as the sudden death of her daughter Nadine.  She loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.   When asked how many great-grandchildren she had, she would recite the number exactly, but added, with a twinkle in her eye, "The day's not over yet."

Bernice is survived by eight children:  Sheila Timme (Brent Lovejoy); Dennis (Sara) Marx; Luanne Schindler; June (Bill) Dettman; Eloise Helms; Lori (Steve) Ploetz; Trudi (John) Marquardt; and Duane "Jake" Marx (Julia Johnson).   She is survived by 21 grandchildren and 46 great-grandchildren.  She is further survived by her sisters-in-law Margie Ziegler, Virginia Bongard, and Jean (Tom) Walsh, as well as many nieces and nephews.  In addition to her husband Vincent, she was preceded in death by her daughter Nadine Fuchs and her husband Mark Fuchs, sons-in-law George Timme and Mike Schindler, parents Henry and Gertrude Ziegler, in-laws Werner and Alvina Marx, and siblings Dennis, Clothilda, Emerentina, Henry, Clarence, Magdalene, and Sylvester.

Mom said that we could end her obituary with something whimsical, but as she said, "Don't get carried away."    Cooking for such a large family, she was bound to hear occasional complaints about the dinner menu.   Her standard reply was, "If you're hungry, you'll eat it!"   Thanks for all the meals, Mom.   They were great, and we wish we could gather around the big table one more time.

Bernice's family would like to thank the staff of Maplewood Village for their devotion to Bernice.   Her memory, wit, and sense of humor were enjoyed by the staff and residents at Maplewood Village.   Her family would also like to thank her physicians Dr. Tom Varley, Dr. John Koch, and Dr. John Phelan, and St. Croix Hospice.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Norbert Catholic Church, 8944 County Highway Y, Sauk City at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, with Father Miguel Galvez presiding.   Burial will follow at St. Norbert Catholic Cemetery in Roxbury.   A visitation for Bernice will be held on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Hooverson Funeral Home, 251 Water St., Sauk City, and from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at Hooverson Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, prior to the funeral mass.  Bernice's family would like to thank Hooverson Funeral Home in Sauk City for their assistance

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family, to be designated at a future date.

Online condolences may be made at hooversonfuneralhomes.com